Rescued Northern Tidewater Gobies Return to their Home in the Santa Monica Mountains

June 17, 2025

June 18, 2025, Long Beach, California-After five months of receiving care at the Aquarium of the Pacific and Heal the Bay Aquarium, a group of rescued northern tidewater gobies has returned to the wild in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Biologists rescued the tidewater gobies in January 2025 from one of their few remaining natural habitats in the Topanga Canyon Lagoon after the Palisades Fire consumed their habitat. This effort was a collaborative endeavor involving California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI), the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCDSMM), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey and California State Parks. The two aquariums each took in these fish to temporarily house them as runoff from the fire had heavily impacted their habitat in the wild.

The ecological role tidewater gobies serve in their environment is similar to that of a keystone species. Their presence or absence can signal the health of the entire system, including coastal food webs and lagoon habitats. They help regulate the invertebrate population, including mosquito larvae, while serving as prey for native birds and large fish. Tidewater gobies live in small groups spread across many lagoons along the coast. These groups are semi-connected, so if one lagoon becomes unsuitable-such as when debris, ash, and sediment wash in after a wildfire-gobies from nearby lagoons can move in and recolonize once conditions improve. Since there were limited sites nearby for natural recolonization near Topanga Canyon after the Palisades Fire, biologists stepped in to help relocate and reintroduce gobies to support the recovery of local populations.

Although the Topanga Lagoon habitat has been significantly impacted by sedimentation from the fire, sufficient habitat is now available, allowing these hardy fish to be safely returned to their natural habitat. Their return to Topanga Lagoon is significant because it supported the healthiest and most consistently abundant northern tidewater goby population in Los Angeles County until the Palisades Fire broke out. Not only is their return important for their local recovery, but their genetic traits may also be preserved so they can adapt to warmer, more variable conditions. Monitoring to ensure their survival will continue led by the RCDSMM and CSUCI students and faculty.

Saving these important fish was made possible through a collaboration with Aquarium of the Pacific; California State Parks; California State University, Channel Islands; the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors; Los Angeles County Lifeguards; Heal the Bay Aquarium; Santa Monica College; the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains; and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Emergency funding provided by USC Sea Grant and Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath, as well as donations of over $43,000 from fifty contributors, supported this effort. Additionally, the Aquarium of the Pacific's Marine Conservation Research Institute provided funding to assist with the care of these gobies.

Aquarium of the Pacific

"This group of fish are small but mighty, and they have physically grown so much during their time here," said Stacy Hammond, Aquarium of the Pacific aquarist (who helped with the release and care of the fish). "They've returned back to their homes more resilient than ever."

The non-profit Aquarium of the Pacific is a community gathering place dedicated to connecting people to and conserving nature. Home to more than 12,000 animals, Aquarium exhibits include Stars of the Sea featuring Our Living Coastline, the Southern California Gallery, Pacific Visions, and Shark Lagoon. Beyond its animal exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages, including First Wednesdays featuring a variety of guest speakers. The Aquarium offers memberships with unlimited FREE admission for twelve months and other special benefits. To make a donation to help support the Aquarium, please visit the donation webpage. To visit, reservations are required for everyone and can be made at aquariumofpacific.org or by calling (562) 590-3100.

California State Parks

California State University, Channel Islands

"I'm incredibly grateful to our tidewater goby recovery team and aquarium partners for their dedication, flexibility, and sacrifice over the past several months. Their tireless work made sure these critically important fish were rescued and returned safely after the devastating impacts of the LA wildfires," 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."

California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) is Ventura County's only public university and opened in 2002 as the 23rd campus in the CSU system. CSUCI is located between Camarillo and the Oxnard Plain, midway between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. The campus is nestled against the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains and is a 10-minute drive from the Pacific Ocean. With more than 4,880 students, 29,000 alumni, and 1,000 employees, CSUCI is poised to grow in size and distinction, while maintaining one of the most student-focused learning environments in public higher education with more than 90 academic degrees, teaching credentials, certificates, and professional and community programs. CSUCI is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and as a result of student and faculty research has also earned the distinguished "Research Colleges and Universities" or "RCU" designation from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Connect with and learn more by visiting www.csuci.edu or CSUCI's Social Media.

Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors

"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 Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors Director Gary Jones. "Caring for our coast is a team effort, and we are thrilled to see such a positive outcome."

The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors (DBH) manages Marina del Rey harbor and 23 miles of beaches along the L.A. County coastline, including world-famous Zuma, Malibu Surfrider, Venice and Manhattan beaches. In addition to maintaining a clean coastline, DBH promotes coastal access for everyone now and in the future through its Marina del Rey for All and coastal resilience initiatives. For more information, visit beaches.lacounty.gov.

Heal the Bay

"In an event as devastating as the Palisades Fire, there is hope to be found in the strength of community," said Laura Rink, associate aquarium director at Heal the Bay Aquarium. "And when we talk about community, it includes the people, the environment, and every living creature down to the vital tidewater goby. This is a story about recovery, and we are so honored to be a part of it."

Heal the Bay is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1985. They use science, education, community action, and advocacy to fulfill their mission to protect coastal waters and watersheds in Southern California with a particular focus on public health, climate change, biodiversity, and environmental justice. Heal the Bay Aquarium, located at the Santa Monica Pier, welcomes 100,000 guests annually and hosts a variety of public programs and events that highlight local environmental issues and solutions. Learn more at healthebay.org and follow @healthebay on social media.

The Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains

"The collaborative effort of so many partners made this rescue of the gobies possible, and their return has been incredible," noted 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 RCDSMM has been proudly serving the local community for over 60 years. The RCDSMM offers programs and services focused on watershed management, restoration, research, and education throughout the Santa Monica Mountains and surrounding areas. The RCDSMM plans and implements riparian and wetland restoration projects, conducts monitoring for various sensitive habitats and species, works toward the recovery of endangered fish populations, implements habitat creation and enhancement, plans interpretive design projects, and coordinates environmental education programs for learners of all levels. Less than 35% of the RCDSMM's annual operating budget comes from County property tax revenue. The remainder comes from competitively-sought grants, contracts, and donations. Your cash donations help to further the mission of the RCDSMM and can be general or targeted toward a specific project or program. General donations are used to support district outreach programs, provide technical information to the public, plan and implement on-the-ground conservation projects, and much more. If you'd like to support local conservation, please visit rcdsmm.org/donate