Conservation breeding project "Moliwe River" launched on 01.March.2019

Initiative for the Moliwe River in Cameroon calls for participation

Biologist Lutz Fischer from the Klimahaus Bremerhaven is now officially launching the ÖVVÖ's conservation breeding project "Moliwe River" as project leader together with the institutions Zoo Berlin and Zoo Leipzig.

This river is best known in aquaristics for the cichlid Pelvicachromis kribensis "Moliwe", which is found there. However, there is also another, less well-known and mouth-breeding cichlid called Benitochromis nigrodorsalis as well as several other fish species, e.g. Epiplatys infrafasciatus rathkei, Chromaphyosemion splendopleure, Procatopus similis, Enteromiuscallipterus, E. camptacanthus and B. thysi.

The observations described over the course of the last ten years were worrying enough to cause concern about the continued existence of the water body in its original form and to take action. Therefore, this conservation programme was initiated at short notice. For the time being, the species Benitochromis nigrodorsalis is being dealt with by Ulrich Grassl (Leipzig Zoo) and Anton Lamboj from the University of Vienna. Lutz Fischer (Klimahaus Bremerhaven) and Marco Hasselmann from Berlin Zoo are also working on the species Pelvicachromis kribensis and Enteromius callipterus. Currently, the Berlin Zoo is showing a display aquarium with authentic stocking on the theme of "Moliwe" in its exhibition.

Those interested in becoming involved as project members are welcome. And this is by no means just for scientists or curators; anyone who is seriously interested in the long-term conservation of one or more fish species (not just cichlids!) from the Moliwe is invited. However, before making this decision, everyone should familiarise themselves with the guidelines. These guidelines are necessary to coordinate the different populations or lineages and thus guarantee breeding success in the long run.

Many thanks to Dr. Lutz Fischer from the Klimahaus Bremerhaven and the two zoos for their willingness and the work done so far!!!!