Chapter 1: The Fateful Voyage

On a fateful morning, August 6, 1852, Alfred Russel Wallace received an urgent call to the deck of the brig Helen, which was stranded in the Atlantic after 26 days at sea. Having endured extensive hardships during his four-year journey through the Amazon, where he meticulously gathered natural history specimens, Wallace was no stranger to adversity. His collection, which included both new and rare species, was invaluable. Among them were live parrots, parakeets, monkeys, and a wild forest dog.

The ship's captain grimly informed Wallace, "I'm afraid the ship's on fire. Come and see for yourself." Just ten months prior, Wallace had battled a fever in the rainforest that nearly claimed his life. Now, standing on the deck with Captain Turner, he watched as smoke erupted from the ship's forecastle. The small crew struggled in vain to douse the flames, which consumed the vessel. Gathering essential instruments, the captain prepared to abandon ship, while Wallace salvaged a small tin box containing his drawings of fishes and palms.

With limited supplies, including casks of biscuit, water, raw pork, ham, and preserved foods, they hastily loaded the lifeboats. As Wallace attempted to lower himself into one, he lost his grip and fell, scraping his hands. Moments later, the Helen sank beneath the waves, taking with it a treasure trove of Wallace's discoveries.

Later, in September 2015, ichthyologist Sven Kullander from the Swedish Museum of Natural History named one of the long-lost fish species collected by Wallace — a uniquely patterned red fish known as Crenicichla monicae.

Chapter 2: Rediscovering the Cichlid

"Crenicichla monicae is part of a group known as pike cichlids," Kullander explained. This genus comprises nearly 100 species found across tropical and southern South America, east of the Andes. Characterized by their elongated bodies, pointed snouts, and large mouths, these fish are primarily carnivorous. Crenicichla monicae features a long dorsal fin that extends nearly the length of its body and can grow up to 10 inches. Its body is adorned with striking dark spots, making it visually distinctive.

Kullander’s research, published in Copeia, titled "Wallace's Pike Cichlid Gets a Name After 160 Years," details the fish's characteristics and history. Wallace, calm and resigned to his fate, reflected on his lost specimens as the flames consumed the ship.

The Rio Negro, a major tributary of the Amazon, is a black-water river that flows from southern Colombia and winds through the rainforest. Wallace had collected this species upstream, and at least one specimen was aboard the Helen when it sank, as indicated by a detailed pencil drawing he had made.

A distinguished expert in cichlids, Kullander has dedicated over five decades to studying fish. His journey began in high school, where he became captivated by aquatic life, especially cichlids. Over the years, he has named more than 100 new species, contributing significantly to ichthyology.

Chapter 3: The Legacy of Wallace

While Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species in 1859, he did not develop his theories in isolation. Wallace, a quietly observant man, collaborated with Darwin, contributing to foundational concepts of biogeography. His explorations in the Amazon and the Malay Archipelago led to significant discoveries, including the demarcation of the Wallace Line, which separates distinct species between regions.

In the midst of the Atlantic, Wallace and the crew watched helplessly as the Helen succumbed to flames. "Soon afterwards," he wrote, "the masts broke off and fell into the sea." As night fell, they remained close to the burning wreck, which illuminated the dark waters. Wallace, resigned to his fate, recalled his lost specimens — the jars of fish, the insects, the monkeys, and the prized Jupaté palm.

Fast forward to 1924, when biologists Melin and Vilars collected similar specimens from the Rio Negro. Unbeknownst to them, they gathered the same fish that Wallace had once described, now resting at the bottom of the ocean. Their collection eventually found a home at the Swedish Museum of Natural History.

Despite the passage of time, the essence of Wallace's work endures. The illustrations he created became crucial references for identifying new species. The long-awaited naming of Crenicichla monicae serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Wallace's explorations and the mysteries still hidden within nature.

As Kullander noted, “Most Crenicichla species appear quite similar. However, the unique color pattern of female Crenicichla monicae, evident in Wallace's drawings, helped us identify it among Melin's specimens.” Today, more than 160 years after Wallace’s initial discovery and nearly a century after its rediscovery by Melin, this remarkable fish finally has a name, embodying the intricate tapestry of life that continues to reveal itself through the efforts of dedicated researchers.