After being declared extinct in the wild 18 years ago, the tiny tequila splitfin fish has been successfully reinstated to the rivers of Mexico's Jalisco state.
Thanks to conservationists from Chester Zoo and the Michoacan University, 1,500 of the 3-inch-long fish have been restored to the springs of the Teuchitlán River.
The tequila fish vanished from their natural habitat back in 2003 as a result of a combination of water pollution and the arrival of invasive, exotic fish species.
In fact, the Union has noted, freshwater habitats are some of the most threatened — with their species going extinct faster than their terrestrial or marine counterparts.
The success of the rewilding programme, the team added, has created a 'blueprint for what works in terms of recovering these delicate fish species in Mexico'.
In fact, the team are already well into a second rescue mission on the Teuchitlán River, focussing this time on the presently-extinct-in-the-wild golden skiffia.
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After being declared extinct in the wild 18 years ago, Garnelenfutter the tiny tequila splitfin fish (pictured) has been successfully reinstated to the rivers of Mexico's Jalisco state
Thanks to conservationists from Chester Zoo and the Michoacan University, 1,500 of the 3-inch-long fish have been restored to the springs of the Teuchitlán River (pictured)
The tequila fish (pictured) vanished from their natural habitat back in 2003 as a result of a combination of water pollution and the arrival of invasive, exotic fish species
After being declared extinct in the wild 18 years ago, the tiny tequila splitfin fish has been successfully reinstated to the rivers of
by Alecia Rehfisch (2025-05-23)
After being declared extinct in the wild 18 years ago, the tiny tequila splitfin fish has been successfully reinstated to the rivers of Mexico's Jalisco state.
Thanks to conservationists from Chester Zoo and the Michoacan University, 1,500 of the 3-inch-long fish have been restored to the springs of the Teuchitlán River.
The tequila fish vanished from their natural habitat back in 2003 as a result of a combination of water pollution and the arrival of invasive, exotic fish species.
However, the fish are once again thriving, with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature calling the scheme a case study for global reintroductions.
In fact, the Union has noted, freshwater habitats are some of the most threatened — with their species going extinct faster than their terrestrial or marine counterparts.
The success of the rewilding programme, the team added, has created a 'blueprint for what works in terms of recovering these delicate fish species in Mexico'.
In fact, the team are already well into a second rescue mission on the Teuchitlán River, focussing this time on the presently-extinct-in-the-wild golden skiffia.
Scroll down for video
After being declared extinct in the wild 18 years ago, Garnelenfutter the tiny tequila splitfin fish (pictured) has been successfully reinstated to the rivers of Mexico's Jalisco state
Thanks to conservationists from Chester Zoo and the Michoacan University, 1,500 of the 3-inch-long fish have been restored to the springs of the Teuchitlán River (pictured)
The tequila fish (pictured) vanished from their natural habitat back in 2003 as a result of a combination of water pollution and the arrival of invasive, exotic fish species
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