Wetland

The freshwater fish fauna of Jordan is very characteristic. It was formed from five different faunal origins; the Palaearctic, Indoasiatic, Afrotropical, Tethys relict and Mediterranean. This uniqueness attracted ichthyologists and biologists already in the 18th and 19th centuries to survey the area of Jordan basin and Yarmouk basin. A total of 15 species of fresh water fish belonging to six families and represented in 12 genera have been recorded in Jordan. All of these species are primarily fresh water fish except the cyprinodontid and cichlid fishes that are considered as secondary fresh water fish.

There are three endemic freshwater fishes in Jordan, one of which Aphanius sirhani is only found in Azraq and no where else, while the other two Garra ghorensis and Aphanius richardsoni are found in the Dead Sea basin. The first two species A. sirhani and G. ghorensis are identified as critically endangered at the global level, which promotes their conservation. A detailed study carried on both species including their life history traits was of great help to build those species conservation plan in Azraq and Dead Sea basin respectively.

http://www.archives.biodiv.be/jordan/biodiversity/wetlands-jordan/wetlands-jordan