An omnivorous bottom-dwelling fish.

Climate change has caused floods, which in turn caused waste and debris from the surrounding area to accumulate in the Taninim Stream drainage basin. Rocks and plants are now covered with sand, and the water has grown murky. The nibble fish feeds mostly on algae stuck to rocks on the riverbed. In the new conditions, the fish had trouble finding food.

To survive, the red garra’s upper lip has changed, allowing it to scrape the sand off of surfaces to expose the algae underneath it. It has also evolved barbels (much like other fish that live in low-visibility areas) that help it navigate the murky water and detect food and danger.

Using its barbels, the red garra can now recognize the unique pattern its school mates leave in the sand. It also detects reflected ultraviolet light from markings left by its and its school mates’ secretions. The markings are visible even in low-light conditions.

Ohad Badnani, Or Rizamn, Tal Orman