Biologist Douglas Barnum and his team were conducting a research on migratory birds visiting the Salton Sea in California when they noticed something strange in the ponds they made for the research: unusual-looking fish were in the water.

At first, they assumed that what they merely saw a common fish called Tilapia, but were fascinated by it upon closer inspection. The fish were smaller and were distinctive in structure. Upon further analysis, they discovered it was a rare type of pupfish.

The desert pupfish were marked endangered when their kind declined in number about a decade ago. They were not local to the area and were not supposed to be there in Barnum's pond. The scientists have a couple of theories that may help explain their presence.

The only water coming into the pond flows from pipes connected to the Salton Sea. Therefore, that makes it the most logical origin of the fish. However, biologists are baffled as to how the small fish were able to survive a 1.5-mile trek through the pipes, much less make it to the man-made pond, thrive, and even reproduce.

The fish, the scientists say, may have come further if their other theory holds the correct explanation. The Salton Sea's water comes directly from the Colorado basin through the Alamo River. That being the case, could they have traveled remote distances?

It's possible, according to the researchers. However, they are more concerned at the moment about the fry that the fish have spawned in the pond. It's not their natural habitat and scientists are trying to find ways to help the endangered youngsters grow into adulthood in their new home.