The critically endangered killifish fish placed under protecti...

The critically endangered killifish fish placed under protection at Istanbul Aquarium calendar_month 10.12.2026

The killifish, an endemic species native to Türkiye and critically endangered, has been placed under protection as part of a project carried out in collaboration between Istanbul Aquarium and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Istanbul Aquarium Curator Dr. Uğur Çağlar explained the importance of the endemic species, which was collected from its natural habitat using scientific methods and transferred to an aquarium environment, as well as the conservation process and upcoming studies.
Çağlar stated that the killifish species, known as “killifish,” is an endemic species living in Acıgöl and that the project was initiated because it is critically endangered. He noted that Istanbul Aquarium hosts more than 17,000 animals from 1,500 different species and said: “Each fish has different requirements, environmental conditions, feeding habits, stress factors, and control parameters. Therefore, we first visited the Zoological Society of London, one of our partner institutions, and had the opportunity to observe the behavior of these animals on-site.”
Çağlar explained that, with permission from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, they visited Acıgöl together with Associate Professor Dr. Baran Yoğurtçuoğlu from Hacettepe University and personnel from the TAGEM Mediterranean Fisheries Research, Production and Training Institute. He continued:

“We conducted fieldwork at Acıgöl. Afterwards, individuals were collected with official permits. These individuals were brought to the aquarium. At the aquarium, we created two different experimental environments: one display tank and another consisting of quarantine tanks. We tested reproduction in both environments. Of course, reproduction does not happen immediately after arrival; the animals need time to adapt. The tank’s light intensity, water temperature, water parameters, and chemical composition must resemble those in nature. A natural simulation was created, with water temperature increased or decreased according to seasonal conditions. Another important factor was preparing the tank substrate to resemble the natural environment. Aquatic plants that can live in the same water were also cultivated here. The increase of live plants provided a comfortable and secure breeding area for the killifish. To improve breeding success, the eggs were monitored daily.”

“Our next step will be the killifish species in Kayseri”

Uğur Çağlar stated that the number of 98 killifish brought from Acıgöl more than doubled after a successful breeding season. He emphasized that the main goal of the project is to increase the population of this declining species in aquarium environments and, when the time comes and permissions are obtained, release them back into nature.

Çağlar noted that the killifish species found in Acıgöl is called “Anatolichthys transgrediens,” while related varieties are known as “Anatolichthys saldae” in Burdur Salda and “Anatolichthys danfordii” in Sultan Marshes (Sultan Sazlığı) in Kayseri. He added that their next field study is planned for the killifish species in Kayseri’s Sultan Marshes.

He also mentioned another critically endangered species native to the Mediterranean, a skate fish called “Raja radula,” and stated that many critically endangered species are bred and protected at the aquarium. Focusing on endemic species, he said: “Our next step will be the killifish species in Kayseri.”

Çağlar added that visitors have responded very positively and emphasized that the priority level in conservation programs depends on the species’ current population in the wild. He stressed that everyone has responsibilities toward endangered species:
“Environmental awareness is extremely important; we must avoid polluting nature. Both seas and inland waters must be protected. Inland waters are shallower and more isolated than seas, so pollution can have different impacts. We must not pollute the environment we live in, because we are both the primary consumers and the protectors — and unfortunately also the ones causing harm. Therefore, people have a major responsibility in protecting natural resources. Visitors who see these conservation efforts and teach environmental awareness to their children will help leave a safer world for future generations.”

Killifish can be seen at Istanbul Aquarium on weekdays between 10:00–19:00 and on weekends between 10:00–20:00.

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The critically endangered killifish fish placed under protection at Istanbul Aquarium calendar_month 10.12.2026

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