A group of endangered northern tidewater gobies has returned to their natural habitat in the Santa Monica Mountains after spending five months recovering at two Southern California aquariums following their rescue from the devastating Palisades Fire.
Biologists rescued the small fish in January from Topanga Canyon Lagoon, one of their few remaining natural habitats, after the wildfire consumed the area and filled their home with debris, ash and sediment. The fish were temporarily housed at the Aquarium of the Pacific and Heal the Bay Aquarium while their habitat recovered.
The successful rescue and return operation represents a major conservation victory for a species that serves as a critical indicator of ecosystem health along California's coast.
"This group of fish are small but mighty, and they have physically grown so much during their time here," said Stacy Hammond, an aquarist at the Aquarium of the Pacific who helped care for and release the fish. "They've returned back to their homes more resilient than ever."
The collaborative rescue effort involved eight organizations, including California State University Channel Islands, the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey and California State Parks. Emergency funding from USC Sea Grant and Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath, along with more than $43,000 in donations from 50 contributors, made the rescue possible.
Northern tidewater gobies play an outsized role in their coastal environment, functioning similarly to a keystone species. Their presence or absence signals the health of entire coastal food webs and lagoon habitats. The small fish help regulate invertebrate populations, including mosquito larvae, while serving as prey for native birds and larger fish.
"The collaborative effort of so many partners made this rescue of the gobies possible, and their return has been incredible," said Rosi Dagit, principal conservation biologist at the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains. "It is so important to preserve these endangered fish, and it's such a positive outcome that we can return them home."
The return to Topanga Lagoon holds particular significance because the site supported the healthiest and most consistently abundant northern tidewater goby population in Los Angeles County before the Palisades Fire struck. Beyond local recovery, scientists say preserving these fish's genetic traits may help the species adapt to increasingly warmer and more variable climate conditions.
Tidewater gobies typically live in small, semi-connected groups spread across coastal lagoons. When one lagoon becomes unsuitable due to natural disasters or environmental changes, gobies from nearby areas can move in to recolonize once conditions improve. However, the Palisades Fire's widespread impact left limited nearby sites for natural recolonization, prompting biologists to intervene.
"I'm incredibly grateful to our tidewater goby recovery team and aquarium partners for their dedication, flexibility, and sacrifice over the past several months," said Dr. Brenton Spies of the Environmental Science and Resource Management Program at California State University Channel Islands. "This effort is a true example of what conservation success looks like when we come together for a shared purpose."
The fish's return comes as the Topanga Lagoon habitat, while still significantly impacted by fire-related sedimentation, has recovered enough to support the hardy species. Ongoing monitoring led by the Resource Conservation District and CSU Channel Islands students and faculty will track the gobies' survival and population recovery.
"After the devastation wrought by the Palisades Fire, the return of the rescued tidewater gobies to Topanga Creek is a shining example of how collaboration makes our communities and coastline more resilient," said Gary Jones, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors.
The rescue demonstrates how community support and scientific collaboration can help endangered species survive catastrophic events while maintaining critical ecosystem functions along California's vulnerable coastline.
