Re-introduction program of the Spanish toothcarp ‘Fartet’ in the Valencian Region, Spain

Summary

The Fartet or Spanish toothcarp (Aphanius iberus), a small, critically endangered Cyprinodontid fish restricted to coastal wetlands of Spain's Valencian Region and a genetically distinct inland Vinalopo watershed population now surviving only in captivity, is euryhaline enough to persist in hypersaline conditions that exclude invasive competitors. Following a 1992 EU LIFE project targeting conservation of two wetlands for the related Valencia hispanica, the regional government's El Palmar fish research centre expanded captive breeding to include the Fartet, raising more than 125,000 individuals to date for both re-enforcement of degraded wild populations and re-introduction into specially restored reserve areas, matching each release to genetically appropriate nearby source populations. Special attention went to recovering inland Alicante populations through an agreement with the Villena council, and the High Vinalopo area was later incorporated into the species' 2007 regional action plan. Post-release monitoring found most natural populations had stabilized, aided by the species' tolerance of the salinity swings common in Valencian coastal wetlands, while several newly created sanctuary populations became self-sustaining without further intervention, reflecting the Fartet's high reproductive rate in both wild and captive settings. Ongoing threats include habitat destruction from coastal development, invasive species such as mosquitofish and common carp, pollution, and aquifer over-exploitation lowering water tables. The project rated itself Successful, citing an expanded distribution range and a successful captive-breeding program, while cautioning that continued habitat protection remains essential.