In a world where rivers, seas, and wetlands face increasing pressures, some fish show signs of resilience. With more than 34,000 identified species, the aquatic universe still holds secrets and surprises. But it’s not all celebration: at least 30 species have been declared extinct in recent decades, according to the IUCN.
One of the most striking cases is that of the olive perch, a fish native to the wetlands of southeastern Australia, which officially disappeared in 1980. Currently, thanks to a conservation program, 200 specimens have returned to their natural habitat in Gunbower National Park.
This action goes beyond the recovery of a species: it strengthens the ecological balance. The olive perch helps maintain nitrogen levels under control, helping to prevent the proliferation of harmful algae in wet environments.
The Chel snakehead fish is one of the species rediscovered after its extinction. Photo: Magnolia Press.
Comebacks that Renew Hope
Restoration also involves indigenous communities, such as the Tati Tati people, who consider the olive perch part of their natural and cultural heritage. Their active participation in the project highlights the value of conservation with an inclusive and sustainable approach.
Thousands of kilometers away from Australia, a second discovery shakes the scientific world. In the Indian Himalayas, the Chel snakehead fish was rediscovered, considered extinct since 1933. Three specimens were located in the Chel River, confirming that, even after 90 years, some species manage to survive oblivion.
This finding was possible thanks to the ancestral knowledge of a local tribe that still consumed the fish. Science, supported by traditional knowledge, thus confirmed that biodiversity can resist, even in silence.
Both cases demonstrate that aquatic ecosystems can still surprise. Each rediscovery not only rewrites the history of a species but also revitalizes the global commitment to protect the life that still thrives in rivers and wetlands.
Olive perch fish, one of the rediscovered species. Photo: Weekend Profile.
The Return of Two Unique Fish Species
The Chel snakehead fish (Channa amphibeus) is a freshwater species native to the Indian Himalayas. Considered extinct since 1933, it was rediscovered in 2024 in the river system of the Chel River in the state of West Bengal. Its discovery was made possible thanks to the knowledge of local communities that still recognize it as part of their traditional diet, highlighting the importance of indigenous knowledge in species conservation.
On the other hand, the olive perch fish (Petrocephalus boettgeri) is a native fish from the wetlands of southeastern Australia. Declared extinct in 1980, it was recently reintroduced thanks to a conservation project that released 200 specimens in Gunbower National Park. This species plays a key ecological role by contributing to water purification, especially by reducing nitrogen in wetlands.
Both fish, rediscovered or recovered after decades of absence, are symbols of resilience and the importance of conserving natural habitats. Their renewed presence brings balance to delicate ecosystems and highlights the value of combining science, tradition, and environmental restoration.
