An urgent worldwide appeal has been launched by aquarists at ZSL London Zoo to find a female mate for the last remaining males of a critically endangered fish species, the Mangarahara cichlid (Ptychochromis Insolitus).
The fish is believed to be extinct in the wild due to the introduction of dams drying up its habitat in the Mangarahara River in Madagascar. Two of the last known individuals are residing in ZSL London Zoo’s aquarium.
Brian Zimmerman, curator of the aquarium at ZSL London Zoo, said: “The Mangarahara cichlid is shockingly and devastatingly facing extinction; its wild habitat no longer exists and as far as we can tell, only three males remain of this entire species.”
He added: “It might be too late for their wild counterparts, but if we can find a female, it’s not too late for the species. Here at ZSL London Zoo we have two healthy males, as well as the facilities and expertise to make a real difference.”
After trying to find other Mangarahara cichlids in zoos around the world, using international zoo and aquarium associates to reach as many experts as possible, the team at ZSL London Zoo is appealing to private aquarium owners, fish collectors and hobbyists to come forward if they have or know of any females in existence.
Mr Zimmerman says it is vital that if any are found, a conservation breeding programme is started at the ZSL London Zoo to bring the species back from the brink of extinction.
