Within the blue island waves surrounding Fiji, a small fish strikes by way of the water.Scorpionfish are identified for his or her spiny exteriors, however as this scaly creature reaches full measurement, its spines are considered one of a sort — and a brand new species.A group of Japanese researchers examined the fish whereas evaluating a bunch of scorpionfish discovered within the tropical waters of Fiji and the Wallis and Futuna Islands within the southwest Pacific, in accordance with a brand new examine printed March 20 within the journal Zootaxa.The “yellowish” creature had all of the hallmarks of a scorpionfish: huge eyes, an angled mouth and a slew of spines reaching from the center of the physique to the tail.However when researchers took a more in-depth look, they observed among the noteworthy spines had been lacking.The fish has longer pectoral-fin rays which mimicked the wing of a fowl, the scientists stated.The brand new species doesn’t have lateral lacrimal or second preopercular spines, that means a backbone on the pinnacle and the entrance of the gills.The fish additionally has for much longer decrease pectoral-fin rays, the fins on the aspect of the physique. The fins are “prolonged” and extra full in comparison with different scorpionfish that stay within the space, the researchers stated.It was this longer fin form that the researchers had been fascinated with after they had been contemplating a reputation for the species.They settled on Neomerinthe ornithoptera, in accordance with the examine. Neomerinthe, the genus of ray-finned fish included within the scorpionfish household, and ornithoptera, with “ornith” that means fowl, and “ptera” that means wing.The fowl wing scorpionfish.Scorpionfish are sometimes bottom-dwelling animals that conceal within the rocks and stones close to the seafloor, in accordance with Britannica.Some scorpionfish, the brand new species not included, have venom on their spines and might puncture and wound any creatures that attempt to take a chunk, just like the well-known lionfish that has infested waters round Florida and the Caribbean.The fowl wing scorpionfish sticks to a lot deeper waters, in accordance with the examine, and surrounds only a few islands within the Pacific Ocean.Fiji and the Wallis and Futuna Islands are off the east coast of Australia and north of New Zealand.Striped creature — with ‘window’ in its eyelid — present in forest. It’s a brand new speciesMassive sea creatures linger close to boat off California coast in ‘unforgettable’ momentWatch child herbivore get his first style of grass alongside mother at Arizona zooShiny purple creature with ‘remarkably huge physique’ discovered at palace. It’s a brand new species