Scientists have uncovered an extremely rare, blind catfish known as the Mexican blindcat that is indigenous to Mexico, inside a limestone cave in Amistad National Recreation Area in Del Rio, Texas. The Prietella phreatophila species is a pink and white hued fish that is also tiny, not growing more than three inches in length.

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Scientists placed two Mexican blindcats in the care of the San Antonio Zoo, where the Mexican blindcat is considered to be a very rare species of fish since it lost many of its traits that are found typically with other animals like coloring for camouflage, eyesight and even speed in movement, as it already adapted to the perpetually dark caves, according to Dean Hendrickson from the University of Texas.

This unique fish was first seen by Texas by National Park Service's Jack Johnson last April 2015, where scientists believe that this species originally came from the natural springs and wells of Coahuila, Mexico. Now, scientists suggest that the water filled caves in the Rio Grande basin in Texas links together with the Coahuila water system in Mexico.

The Mexican blindcat is also considered to be an endangered species as the government of Mexico placed the fish in its endangered species list . Eventually the Unites States Fish and Wildlife Service also included the species in its foreign endangered species as well.

The Mexican blindcat faces a lot of environmental threats such as habitat loss due to contamination from ground water due to human use. The Mexican and U.S. governments are now concentrating on conservation efforts to save this tiny, endangered, elusive cave fish.

According to San Antonio Zoo's vice president of conservation and research, Danté Fenolio, San Antonio Zoo is fully equipped with laboratories that are designed to keep subterranean wild species safe and healthy. He adds that the zoo is committed to preserve this very special blind catfish, and conserving other species as well that live in groundwater.

Tagsrare blind catfish, mexican blindcat, endangered species, Mexico, Texas, extremeley rare blind catfish texas mexico, Prietella phreatophila, blindcat