Yarkon bream facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yarkon bream |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acanthobrama
|
| Species: |
telavivensis
|
The Acanthobrama telavivensis, often called the Yarkon bream or Yarkon bleak, is a special kind of freshwater fish. It is a ray-finned fish from the Cyprinidae family, which includes carps and minnows. This fish is found only in Israel, living in the Yarkon River system.
Contents
About the Yarkon Bream
This silver fish can grow to be about 20 centimeters (almost 8 inches) long. The Israel Nature Preservation Authority has helped bring this fish back to its natural homes. They have reintroduced it to places like the Afek springs and Ein Nymphit.
History of the Yarkon Bream
The Yarkon bream has faced some tough times, but it is now making a comeback!
When the Fish Disappeared
Between the 1950s and 1970s, the number of Yarkon bream dropped a lot. The population was stable for a while, but then a drought in 1999 made it almost disappear completely. Only a few hundred fish were left.
Saving the Yarkon Bream
To save the fish, the remaining ones were caught and bred in special pools. This was done in a safe place, away from their natural river. This project was a team effort. The Yarkon River Authority, Tel Aviv University, and the Israel Nature and National Parks Authority all worked together.
Bringing Them Back to the River
In 2002, scientists tried to put the fish back into the river. However, it did not work very well. The scientists realized there were not enough good places for the fish to lay their eggs. These places are called "spawning sites."
So, they built a special pond filled with gravel and plants. Soon, many young fish were seen there! This showed that the new spawning sites were working.
In 2005, they tried again to reintroduce the fish to the upper part of the river. This time, it was much more successful. Engineers had helped create better spawning sites in the river itself.
A Successful Comeback
In 2006, these fish were put back into 12 different parts of the river where they used to live. Since then, many Yarkon bream of all ages have been found in these areas. This shows that the efforts to clean up and restore the river have worked!
In 2014, a group called the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) changed the status of the Yarkon bream. It was no longer considered "Extinct in the Wild." Now, it is listed as "Vulnerable." This means it still needs protection, but it is doing much better in the wild.
