5 Species From 2025: Meet some of the newest discovered ocean creatures  | Oceana

This new species of giant “sea bug” was discovered in January 2025 off the coast of Vietnam. This isopod, which gets its unique name from its resemblance to Star War’s Darth Vader, is a type of crustacean and is related to crabs and shrimp. Typically, isopods are very small, but this one can grow over 12 inches long! 

Discovered off South Africa’s tropical Indian Ocean coast, this tiny pygmy pipehorse is just over 1.5 inches long and marks the first time its genus has been found in Africa. Masters of camouflage, they live on coral reefs and blend in so well they’re easy to miss. Many of their close relatives—including seahorses and seadragons—are threatened by habitat loss, bycatch, and fishing pressure, highlighting the importance of protecting reef ecosystems.

An expedition to the Southern Ocean uncovered this carnivorous “death-ball” sponge! Unlike most sponges that gently filter food from the water, this spherical species is covered in tiny hooks that trap prey. This research expedition found a total of 30 new deep-sea species, highlighting just how much of the ocean remains unexplored.

A global effort to explore ocean life uncovered more than 800 new marine species—including this species of guitarfish. Though technically a type of ray, guitarfish uniquely combine features of both sharks and rays, giving it a distinct appearance. As top predators, sharks and rays help keep ocean ecosystems healthy, and their decline can disrupt the entire food web.

For more than 15 years, scientists from the Marine Megafauna Foundation suspected there was a third species of manta ray—and in 2025, they finally confirmed it. The newly identified Atlantic manta ray has only been found in Atlantic waters and looks very similar to other manta species, which is why it went unnoticed for so long. Subtle features, like its distinctive V-shaped white shoulder markings, ultimately helped scientists tell it apart.