Adult male P. lutea from the Jagbudi River, Khed. © Ralf Britz

A new barb of the genus Pethia is described in the Journal of Threatened Taxa this week. Continue reading »

Invasive mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki, in the Ripoll. © Matt Ford

Check out our video of native cyprinids Barbus meridionalis Risso 1827 and Squalius laietanus Doadrio, Kottelat & de Sostoa 2007. Both species are endemic to a few river basins in northeaster Spain and southern France, in this case the Ripoll River, a tributary within the larger Bésos drainage close to Barcelona. This is a typical Mediterranean river which flows more strongly during winter and spring and contains less water during the dry summer period.

Drought conditions can also extend between years, and a dry winter in 2013/2014 has caused the native fishes to become concentrated in permanent pools. Also present in these refuge habitats are the invasive mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki Girard 1859, pumpkinseed sunfish Lepomis gibbosus (Linnaeus 1758), and red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard 1852), all of which were introduced from the United States in the twentieth century and now represent a serious ecological issue throughout Spain.

This is our first attempt at editing a video with captions, music, etc., so please bear with it!

[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfQn9LgUXCk]

Male Aphanius iberus from the Delta del Llobregat, Barcelona. © Matt Ford

Some long-term SF members may be aware that for the last six years we’ve been directly involved in a project administered by the Society of Ichthyological Studies (SEI) aimed at conservation of one of the most endangered fishes in Europe; the Spanish toothcarp, Aphanius iberus.

This species is known locally as ‘fartet’, and was once common along the Mediterranean coastlines of southern France and Spain, but its numbers have declined drastically in the last century due to pollution, habitat loss, and introduction of invasive competitors such as the mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki.

This little fish is not only a national treasure and endemic, it is also a part of the rapidly declining world biodiversity. To ensure its long-term survival in the Llobregat delta it is essential to improve conditions in the breeding pools by adding areas of shade and aquatic plants, while the purchase of some good quality traps and other equipment will allow proper monitoring of released populations.

The breeding facilities for the fish require a number of improvements © Matt Ford

How can I help?

1. Please promote this campaign – email, Facebook post, tweet, tell others, and please send anyone you think might be interested to this page.
2. Pledge money to the cause. The SEI is looking for a modest sum of  €1800 and your help is needed to raise these funds. A crowdfunding campaign has been launched on the website of Barcelona Zoo, and you can make a contribution by visiting and clicking the ‘Collaborate’ button. No amount is too small or too large!

Further information:

Project timeline 2010-2012

Campaign microsite