Critically endangered toothcarp fish placed under protection in Istanbul Aquarium project

​​​​​​​By Fatih Turkyilmaz and Fatma Zehra Solmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) -The toothcarp fish, a species endemic to Türkiye and critically endangered, has been placed under protection as part of a project, in cooperation between the Istanbul Aquarium and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Speaking to Anadolu, Istanbul Aquarium Curator Ugur Caglar explained the significance of the endemic species, which was transferred from its natural habitat to an aquarium environment using scientific methods, as well as the conservation process and ongoing efforts.

Caglar said the toothcarp species, known as “killifish,” is endemic to Burdur’s Lake Acigol and the project was launched due to the species being at a critically endangered level.

Noting that the Istanbul Aquarium hosts more than 17,000 animals from over 1,500 different species, Caglar said each fish has unique requirements related to environmental conditions, feeding habits, stress and control factors, adding that the aquatic museum visited the Zoological Society of London, one of their partner institutions, to observe animal behavior.

Caglar explained that, with the permission from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the aquarium carried out fieldwork at Lake Acigol with academics and researchers, after which specimens were brought to the aquarium, where two different trial environments were created to support adaptation and reproduction under conditions simulating the natural habitat, including seasonal temperature changes and suitable tank design, while daily egg checks were conducted to increase breeding success.

- ‘Our next step … will be the killifish in Kayseri’

Stating that the number of killifish brought from Lake Acigol, 98, has more than doubled following a successful breeding season, he emphasized that the main aim of the project is to increase the population of the declining species in aquariums and, when the time comes and with the necessary permits, to release them back into the wild.

Caglar noted that the killifish species found in Lake Acigol is known as Anatolichthys transgrediens, adding that related varieties exist under the names Anatolichthys saldae in Lake Salda in Burdur and Anatolichthys danfordiin the Sultan Marshes of Kayseri.

Announcing plans to conduct the next field study on the killifish species in the Sultan Marshes of Kayseri, Caglar said, “In addition to these, we also have the Mediterranean endemic skate species known as Raja radula. Here, we carry out breeding and conservation efforts for many species whose populations are at critical levels. Our next step, specifically regarding our endemic species, will be the killifish in Kayseri.”

Caglar stressed the importance of environmental awareness, noting that inland waters are more vulnerable to pollution than seas, emphasizing that humans, as consumers and protectors, bear the major responsibilities for safeguarding natural resources and passing the awareness on to future generations.