Purplish creature found in volcanic fjord is new species named after Darth Vader

Lauren Liebhaber, The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.) on Jul 7, 2025

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In the waters of Papua New Guinea’s Tufi region, known for its dramatic volcanic fjords, an unusual fish sat perched on a massive rocky coral outcrop.

The fish, with large yellow eyes and a “distinctive purplish-black coloration,” was a new species of dwarfgoby, according to a study published July 3 in the Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation.

Researchers discovered a single Eviota vader, or black Dwarfgoby, at McLaren Fjord at a depth of about 13 feet, according to the study.

According to researchers, there are 134 species of dwarfgobies “with a wide variety of color patterns, but none of them feature an overall dark purplish-black appearance,” like the black dwarfgoby.

The black dwarfgoby, measuring just under half an inch long, lived in a small burrow in the top of a large coral bommie, researchers said. No other specimens of the new species were found.

The new species earned its name due to its dark coloration, with the epithet vader referencing the “Star Wars” character Darth Vader, according to the study.

Researchers said additional exploration is needed to determine the “true range” of Eviota vader.

The research team included David W. Greenfield, Mark V. Erdmann and Nesha K. Ishida.

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