The British Killifish Association has established the Mick Agnew Killifish Conservation Fund in memory of former Chairman Mick Agnew. The fund supports evidence‑based conservation projects that advance the understanding, protection, and long‑term survival of killifish species.

We are currently inviting grant applications for projects that:

– Focus on threatened or data‑deficient killifish
– Contribute to habitat assessment, field research, or ecological study
– Support conservation breeding or population safeguarding
– Provide measurable conservation outcomes

While priority is often given to Nothobranchius species due to their vulnerability and rapidly changing habitats, all killifish‑focused conservation proposals are welcome.

 

 

 

 

Support the Mick Agnew Killifish Conservation Fund and help advance practical conservation work for threatened killifish species worldwide.

All contributions go directly toward:

– Field surveys and habitat assessments
– Conservation‑breeding programmes
– Research supporting species recovery
– Community and educational initiatives

Every donation — large or small — strengthens our ability to protect vulnerable killifish populations.

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Donate

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Apply

 

The fund welcomes applications from aquarists, researchers, conservation groups, and field teams working on killifish‑focused projects.

We support proposals involving:

– Threatened or data‑deficient species
– Habitat or ecological research
– Captive‑breeding and population safeguarding
– Conservation actions with measurable outcomes

To begin an application, use the form below.

T&Cs

 

 

2024–2025 Mick Agnew Killifish Conservation Fund Awards

The British Killifish Association is proud to announce the recipients of the latest grants from the Mick Agnew Killifish Conservation Fund. These awards support high‑impact conservation, research, and community‑engagement projects focused on threatened and understudied killifish around the world. Each funded project represents a meaningful step toward safeguarding biodiversity and strengthening global collaboration within the killifish community.

Award 1 — Mexico

Conservation of the Mexican profundulid killifish

Recipient: Víctor Manuel Ortiz Cruz (SIMAC) Partner: Freshwater Life Project Grant: £1,000

The first award from the Mick Agnew Fund supported conservation work on the recently described profundulid killifish Profundulus adani, a species endemic to a short section of the Papaloapan River basin in Oaxaca, Mexico. With its restricted range and increasing habitat pressure, P. adani is highly vulnerable.

Funding enabled:

• Establishment of the first captive‑breeding population of the species

• Acquisition of aquatic plants and outdoor tubs to create naturalistic breeding environments

• Development of long‑term holding systems to support ongoing maintenance

This project marks a significant step toward securing the future of a species with extremely limited representation in captivity.

Award 2 — Argentina

Survey and Conservation of Seasonal Killifish (Rivulidae)

Recipient: Dr Alonso Grant: £1,000

This project focuses on the distribution, ecology, and conservation needs of Argentina’s seasonal killifish, including the identification of potential new species. The work aims to fill critical knowledge gaps, strengthen local conservation capacity, and support long‑term protection of threatened Rivulidae habitats.

The BKA is proud to support field surveys, ecological assessments, and the development of conservation strategies for these unique and often overlooked fishes.

Award 3 — Tanzania

Enhancing Conservation of Tanzania’s Endemic Killifish through Digital Education and Community Engagement

Recipient: Dr Richard Alila Grant: £500

This award supports an innovative outreach‑focused project designed to raise awareness of Tanzania’s endemic killifish through digital education, community engagement, and locally accessible conservation resources. By empowering communities and improving public understanding, the project aims to build long‑term support for the protection of vulnerable species and their habitats.

Our Commitment

The Mick Agnew Killifish Conservation Fund exists to honour Mick’s lifelong dedication to killifish and to support meaningful, practical conservation efforts worldwide. We congratulate all recipients and look forward to sharing updates as their work progresses.

 

 

References:
(1) Full Article (in English): First observations on the reproduction in captivity of Profundulus adani Mitzi Yaret Galvan Meza and Víctor Manuel Ortiz Cruz, Killi-News 625 p26
(2) Full Article (in Spanish): SOCIEDAD ICTIOLOGÍCA MEXICANA, A.C. Bulletin 49
(3) Profundulus adani more background

 

 

FBAS

We have recently had a very kind donation from the FBAS (Federation of British Aquarists)  fbas.co.uk which will go a long wat to fund future projects. So many thanks to them.

Contacts

CONSERVATION OFFICER:   Tim Haywood  conservationofficer@killis.org.uk
CONSERVATION TRUSTEE:   Tyrone Genade   conservationtrustee@killis.org.uk
CONSERVATION TRUSTEE:   Christian Som   conservationtrustee@killis.org.uk
CONSERVATION TRUSTEE:  Steve Davidson  conservationtrustee@killis.org.uk
CONSERVATION TRUSTEE:   William King   conservationtrustee@killis.org.uk

To Contact all the Mick Agnew Fund  conservation@killis.org.uk