Our conservation mission
Based in Vodňany, Czech Republic, and hosted by the University of South Bohemia, The Goodeid Conservation and Research Stock Center is dedicated to safeguarding critically endangered viviparous freshwater fish. Through rigorous captive breeding, scientific research, and active genetic management, we work to protect species on the brink of extinction.
Protecting vanishing viviparous goodeids
Freshwater habitats across Central America are disappearing rapidly due to pollution, water extraction, and invasive species. Goodeids-unique livebearing fishes native primarily to Mexico-are among the most threatened vertebrate families on Earth. Our facility maintains stable assurance colonies for critical species including Zoogoneticus tequila, Ameca splendens, Xenotoca doadrioi, and Skiffia multipunctata, ensuring their survival for future reintroduction efforts.
Research and facility operations in Vodňany
Located in the historic aquaculture hub of Vodňany, Czech Republic, our stock centre serves as a living biobank. One of our main objectives is to study the productive biology, genetic diversity, and behavioural ecology across goodeids and other distinctive livebearers such as Heterandria formosa and Dermogenys pusilla.
The role of dedicated hobbyists and institutions
We welcome collaboration with researchers, public institutions, conservation breeders, and experienced aquarists. Our research focuses on how goodeids reproduce, how their embryos develop, and how maternal physiology supports gestation. We are also interested in approaches that deepen our understanding of viviparity across fish species.
Through joint research and shared husbandry knowledge, we aim to improve how threatened species are maintained and bred in captivity. These colonies can help safeguard species while their natural habitats recover. As our programme grows, we hope to share documented captive-bred lineages with partners and establish additional colonies to safeguard species that have disappeared from the wild and support research on species that are difficult to study in their natural habitats.
"By maintaining Goodeid colonies in captivity, we provide these remarkable species with a lifeline until their natural freshwater habitats can be restored."
The Goodeid Conservation and Research Stock Center team
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