Floodplains as a Suitable Habitat for Freshwater Fish: The Length–Weight Relationships and Condition Factors of Fish Inhabiting a Danube Floodplain in Croatia

Nera Vuić, Ivana Turković Čakalić, Miran Koh, Viktorija Ergović, Barbara Vlaičević, Matej Šag, Vlatko Rožac and Dubravka Čerba ()
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Nera Vuić: Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Ivana Turković Čakalić: Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Miran Koh: Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Viktorija Ergović: Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Barbara Vlaičević: Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Matej Šag: Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Vlatko Rožac: Public Institution Kopački Rit Nature Park, Mali Sakadaš 1, 31327 Kopačevo, Croatia
Dubravka Čerba: Department of Assessment and Aquatic Ecosystems Research, National Water Reference Laboratory of Slovakia, Water Research Institute, Nábr. arm. gen. L. Svobodu 5(7), 81249 Bratislava, Slovakia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-13

Abstract: When studying the well-being and fitness of ichthyofauna in a specific area, vital information comes from length–weight relationships (LWRs) and condition factor analyses and calculations. Data were collected from 2015 to 2019 in an area important for fish shelter, feeding, and spawning. Twenty four species belonging to 10 different families were identified from the total 16,895 of caught individuals, with the most abundant species being Blicca bjoerkna . The calculation of LWRs was possible for 19 species, (R 2 = 0.7049–0.9998 ( p < 0.05)), with the values of the mean coefficient b ranging from 2.6831 to 3.5747, indicating an overall positive allometric growth in the fish population. The results of Fulton’s and the relative condition factors showed that a total of eight species were in a relatively good condition, although the species in question varied between the two condition factors. Fulton’s condition factor showed the highest average value for Lepomis gibbosus (1.4956), while Cobitis elongatoides had the lowest (0.4739). Contrarily, the relative condition factor showed the highest average value for Silurus glanis (1.0524), and the lowest for Gymnocephalus cernua (1.0023). The lower values of calculated condition factors in some species could be attributed to sampling being conducted during the colder months of autumn and winter. Future studies should include seasonal sampling in order to achieve a better understanding how various abiotic factors impact the condition factors of these fish species. Nevertheless, this research provided valuable data on the status of the fish population in the floodplain and could be used as a guideline for designing future ichthyofauna studies in this area.

Keywords: positive allometric growth; Fulton’s factor; relative condition factor; Blicca bjoerkna; Kopački Rit; ichthyofauna (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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