Aquarists at ZSL London Zoo says that the worldwide appeal to find a female mate for a critically-endangered fish species has been successful after a small population was found in remote Madagascar.
Brian Zimmerman, London Zoo's Aquarium Curator, said: “We are simply thrilled that we found the Mangarahara cichlid surviving in Madagascar."
The Mangarahara cichlid (Ptychochromis insolitus) was believed to be extinct in the wild because much of its native habitat of the Mangarahara River has dried up due to intense deforestation for agriculture. Two of the last known individuals – both male - were residing in ZSL London Zoo’s Aquarium.
After launching a desperate appeal to find a female in May 2013, hundreds of private aquarium owners, fish collectors, and scientists got in touch to offer advice and suggestions.
One respondent was a farm and business owner in Madagascar, who had spotted the fish in a secluded north-Madagascan town.
An exploratory expedition was arranged and after days of searching empty streams, the team found the Mangarahara cichlid at a tiny village built on the edge of a now-disconnected tributary from the Mangarahara River.
As part of ZSL London Zoo’s Fish Net conservation project, which focuses on protecting freshwater species, 18 of the newly discovered Mangarahara cichlids have been moved to a private aquaculture facility in Madagascar. There they will receive specialist care while conservation plans are made to bring the species back from the brink of extinction.
