In recognition of President Barack Obama's support to "protect and preserve the natural environment," scientists have named a new fish species after him.

Previously unknown, Tosanoides obama was first discovered in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in June 2016 during a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expedition. The 2.4-inch, yellow, blue, and pink coral-reef creature lives 300 feet underwater. Its closest science-recognized relative is the Tosanoides flavofasciatus species that swims in the Palau islands.

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According to the researchers, T. obama was misidentified as Pseudanthias thompsoni but is different with its dorsal fin red spot. After a thorough study, the scientists found out that it is under the colorful basslet group often involved in aesthetic aquaculture.

Pyle described that "the spot on the males is reminiscent of President Obama's campaign logo." NOAA scientist Randall Kosaki added that "the new fish is special because it is the only known species of coral-reef fish endemic to the monument."

In August, the Papahānaumokuākea National Monument underwent expansion with the recommendation of Senator Brian Schatz, marine scientists and conservationists and approval of the former president. It is double the size of Texas at 582,578 square miles making it the "largest permanent protected marine area on the planet."

The lead author of the study Richard Pyle said that naming the fish after the former president is a recognition of "his efforts to protect and preserve the natural environment, including the expansion of Papahānaumokuākea." The scientist added that the expansion serves as a way of securing "one of the last great wilderness areas on Earth."

In September, Obama visited the Midway Atoll Island where he met Sylvia Earle, a scientist known for her deep-ocean exploration. The complete footage of the trip and Earle's presentation of T. obama's photograph to the president will appear on"Sea of Hope," a National Geographic international broadcast special that will be aired on Jan. 15, 2017.