Espírito Santo fish show high rates of internal anomalies

A scientific study has identified a high incidence of internal structural anomalies in fish collected off the coast of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Researchers analyzed 38 otoliths—small calcified structures in the inner ear used for balance and environmental perception—from the species Stellifer naso.

Of the samples examined, 23 exhibited anomalies, representing a 60.5% incidence rate. This figure is noted as the highest reported among coastal fish in Brazil in comparative studies. The observed irregularities included abnormal surface projections and malformations in the sulcus acusticus, as well as increased morphological variation compared to normal specimens.

Scientists suggest that these deformities may serve as indicators of environmental stress. Researchers have pointed to a possible link between these biological changes and the environmental impact of the 2015 Mariana dam disaster, which released significant amounts of tailings into the river systems.