국립 부경대학교

First Discovery of a New Species of Ttibyeolbaragi (Limnichthys koreanus) in South Korea

-Research Team at Pukyong National University Reports First Subtropical Species of Creediidae in South Korea

Researcher Lee Yu-jin from Pukyong National University (Ph.D. Candidate in Marine Biology) published a new species, ‘Ttibyeolbaragi (Limnichthys koreanus),’ in the October issue of the prestigious international journal in zoology, <Zookeys>. The paper is titled ‘Limnichthys koreanus, a new species of creediid fish (Teleostei, Acropomatiformes, Creediidae) from Korea’ (Advisor: Professor Kim Jin-goo).

The newly reported species, Limnichthys koreanus, is a small fish measuring less than 5 cm, collected by Professor Kim Jin-goo while skin diving in Moseulpo, Jeju Island. This is also the first time that a subtropical species of the Creediidae fish has been reported in South Korea. The Creediidae family has never had a single species reported in South Korea, making it a taxon with no biological information available.

In a study where researcher Lee Yu-jin raised Limnichthys koreanus in a laboratory tank for three months, it was found that the fish has a unique behavior of hiding in gravel and sand, then leaping at an incredible speed to intercept food when small crustaceans, such as water striders, approach, before returning to its original position. Additionally, its heart rate was measured at 190 to 240 beats per minute, indicating that it can move remarkably fast despite being a small fish.

The research team went through some ups and downs almost losing the species they had just discovered. Professor Kim Jin-goo initially collected this species and placed it in a collection jar with other specimens, but when he checked outside the water, he could not find it. After returning to her accommodation, researcher Lee Yu-jin shook the collection jar to examine the specimens, during which a Istigobius campbelli in the jar regurgitated the undigested Limnichthys koreanus, allowing them to confirm the species again, leading to the announcement of the new species.

Professor Kim Jin-goo stated, “Limnichthys koreanus is a small fish species that lives hidden in the gravel of the shallow intertidal zone at a depth of 1-2 meters in Moseulpo, Jeju Island, and due to its unique characteristic of being found only in Jeju, there is a need for follow-up research for species conservation as well as various efforts for habitat protection in the future.”

Professor Kim Jin-goo has operated the marine fish resource donation and registration preservation agency under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries for 11 years, and with the budget support from the National Marine Biodiversity Institute, he has achieved research results reporting the new species of Limnichthys koreanus, dedicating himself to the assetization of marine fish resources. To date, he has successfully secured over 800 specimens of native fish species, and the Limnichthys koreanus specimens have been transferred to the National Marine Biodiversity Institute for continued research use.