Temporarily Rescued: Rare Fish Evade El Niño at Birch Aquarium, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
In the heart of California, the Tidewater Gobies, a small native fish species, are being safeguarded from the destructive effects of El Niño storms at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps.
The aquarium, located on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, is currently housing 300 endangered Southern California Tidewater Gobies. These fish, rarely exceeding two inches, are kept separated into two different populations while living in 12 large tanks, feeding well on brine shrimp.
Historically, the Tidewater Gobies were found from Del Norte County to San Diego County, but due to development, diversion of streams and estuaries, pollution, and introduction of non-native species, they are now found in fewer locations.
Conservation efforts for the Tidewater Gobies during El Niño storms include active habitat restoration, emergency rescue and care, and community engagement initiatives led by multiple agencies and organizations. One key project is the Topanga Lagoon Restoration Project, which focuses on restoring coastal wetland habitats in Southern California, including critical habitats for the federally endangered Tidewater Goby.
Emergency rescue efforts have also been implemented when extreme weather, such as wildfires and storms associated with El Niño, disrupt native breeding grounds. For example, northern tidewater gobies were rescued, cared for in aquariums like the Aquarium of the Pacific, and successfully reintroduced into the Santa Monica Mountains after the 2025 Palisades Fire and related storms.
Conservation funding and grants from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife support watershed restoration projects that benefit endangered species, including the Tidewater Goby, enhancing resilience during adverse weather conditions like El Niño storms.
Researchers at UCLA have expressed concern about the negative impact of El Niño storms on the Tidewater Goby's already threatened population. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton completed an emergency action plan to evacuate some of the Tidewater Goby population.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps, accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, is not only a public exploration center for UC San Diego but also features over 60 habitats of fishes and invertebrates. It is home to an interactive museum with five-dozen hands-on elements.
Harry Helling, the executive director of Birch Aquarium, stated that conservation is a critical component of their mission. The public can see the fish in the aquarium's nursery, located in the Hall of Fishes, and learn more about how they can help save threatened and endangered ocean animals on Endangered Species Day on May 20.
Long-term conservation requires continued protection and restoration of degraded habitat. The Tidewater Gobies will be returned to their original lagoons once the El Niño storm season has passed, ensuring their survival and the preservation of this unique California species.
- The efforts for the conservation of Tidewater Gobies extend beyond California's shores, as researchers in environmental-science, such as those at UCLA, express concerns about the impact of El Niño storms on their threatened population.
- As part of their mission, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, a leading institution in science, not only showcases various marine life but also actively participates in health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise initiatives, such as promoting ocean conservation and educating the public on endangered species like the Tidewater Goby.
