UPDATE 18/02: We have reached our fundraising goal, thank you all for your incredible support! The campaign will remain open for a few more months. Any additional donations will help fund upcoming surveys and monitoring actions in Riau. We are deeply grateful for your trust and encouragement.

Blackwater peat swamp forests are disappearing quickly in Indonesia due to land conversion, drainage, and palm oil expansion. These ecosystems might look small and quiet, but they support a rich and unique biodiversity. One mysterious genus of fish is at the centre of our attention: Parosphromenus. Many of these tiny blackwater fish are facing extinction, with most species classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

If their habitats disappear, the species that depend on them disappear as well. Based on that statement, we decided to take action. Over the past months, we have been laying the groundwork to create Parosphromenus Indonesia, a conservation organisation based in Indonesia and led locally.

Our goals are to:

This is a long-term commitment, not a quick campaign. Our work will be slow, careful, and grounded in the field. Our first project will focus on Parosphromenus phoenicurus, an endemic species of Riau Province in Sumatra.

A Note for Fish Keepers and Other Nature Lovers

For those of us who keep and breed freshwater fish, there is often a sense of frustration. We may do our best to maintain and breed species in captivity, but if their natural habitats disappear, those efforts can only go so far.

This project is one opportunity to connect fish enthusiasts and in-situ conservation. By supporting us, people who care about these species will also take part in protecting where they come from. Our campaign is not about guilt or responsibility; it is about continuity. The hobby has knowledge, motivation, and community; when connected to real habitat protection, it can have impact.

But this project is not only for aquarists. It is for anyone who believes small ecosystems and overlooked species still matter.

Why We Are Fundraising Now

To operate legally, collaborate with universities, and apply for conservation grants, we need to formally register as a Yayasan (Indonesian nonprofit foundation). This step must happen before we can move into fieldwork and grant applications.

The registration process has upfront costs, and grants cannot be applied for until after the Yayasan is legally established. That is why this initial crowdfunding phase is necessary.

These costs include the legal registration of the Yayasan, obtaining the necessary research permits, purchasing basic field equipment, and covering the cost of an initial survey trip in Riau. These are the minimum requirements to start working legally and responsibly in the field. To ensure we can complete all these steps, our fundraising goal is €3,000. Any additional funds raised will be used to support survey and monitoring actions in Riau.

What This Enables

With the registration complete, we can:

This crowdfunding campaign is not the whole project; it is the start that makes the rest possible.

We are not promising miracles. We are not claiming to “save the rainforest.” We simply believe that small, focused, local conservation efforts matter. If you share that belief, whether you are a naturalist, researcher, hobbyist, or someone who simply does not want to see species disappear quietly, your support will help us take the first real step.

To learn more about our work and follow our progress, please visit our website.

Thank you for reading.