Asprete

Asprete


https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54823866



Romanichthys Valsanicola
There are thousands of species that belong to the fish family. Some species are more rare than others. One extremely rare species is called the Asprete. It is also known as the Romanichthys Valsanicola in the scientific community and it belongs to a classification that is called Teleostei. It is so rare that conservationists have estimated populations to be around 57 specimens as of 2022.

These fish are very small and only get to about 4 inches. Some distinguishable traits of this fish is its 8 or 9 spines on its first dorsal fin and 56-68 scales on its lateral line. Although these fish are extremely rare, they deposit 120-150 eggs!


https://www.zenger.news/2020/11/06/65-million-year-old-fish-feared-extinct-filmed-in-romanian-river/


HABITAT and ROLE
Aspretes are found in only in a small freshwater area of Romania. It was discovered in 1956 in a river known as the Valsan river. They mainly stay in small areas under rocks. While the specific role is not mentioned, small fish like these would provide necessary energy in the food web. They would provide food for bigger fish or birds in the area. 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54823866

SPECIES DECLINE and IMPORTANCE
The population of these fish have been declining to several human factors. The main thing destroying their habitat is the flow of water from a nearby dam. The company in charge of the Valsan Dam has not complied with regulations on the quantity of water to release downstream. This cause very low levels of water leading to a decline in the species. Also, deforestation plays a role in the decline of them. This rare fish is important due to the fact that this species is 65-million-years-old. It can provide valuable research on effects of human activity on some of the oldest species. In addition this, the loss of this fish could cause a ripple in the food web.

CONSERVATION EFFORTS
Even though this fish is in a remote location in Romania, there are some conservation efforts being executed. The location that Asprete occupy is environmentally protected and it is part of a reserve. There is also efforts by a small team that include maintaining a breeding facility and spreading the word about this species. 

https://conservationcorridor.org/digests/2015/08/coupling-field-surveys-forest-mapping-and-simulation-models-to-understand-the-future-of-a-madagascar-corridor/

SCIENTIFIC TOOLS
Geography can aid in conservation of species like the Asprete through methods of mapping the area around the habitat. Modeling of their habitat can lead to scenarios that aid conservationists in studying adverse environmental effects on the Romanichthys Valsanicola. While these species are too small to be individually tracked, mapping of sighted locations will help conservationist in finding more of this rare fish.


Call for Change

There are some ways for individuals to help species like Asprete. Here are some things you can do to help:

-Spread the word about local restoration of habitats like Valsan river 

-Use less paper to limit deforestation

-Donate to funds that support local conservation funds (No specific funds for this species)

-Volunteer for conservation efforts of species like the Asprete in a local area

-Educate others of the effects excess consumption on forests



Explore these links for the information sourced in the blog or to learn more about this species.

Links:

Fishbase

BBC

Euro News

Green Peace



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