Rainbow-Colored Fish Discovered In Maldives

Far beneath the waves surrounding the Maldives, there’s a living rainbow in the ocean’s “twilight zone.”

Say hello to the rose-veiled fairy wrasse, a colorful species of fish that’s new to science.

The fish, which bears the scientific name Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa, was found living at depths ranging from 131 to 229 feet (40 to 70 meters) beneath the ocean’s surface.

The name honors the fish’s stunning pink hues, as well as the pink rose, the national flower of the Maldives.

“Finifenmaa” means “rose” in the local Dhivehi language.

While hundreds of species thrive in the waters near and surrounding the archipelago nation, this is the first fish to be described by a Maldivian scientist — Ahmed Najeeb.