Length-weight relationship of eleven species of marine catfishes from the northern Arabian Sea coast of Pakistan

This study records length-weight relationships(LWRs)for eleven commercially important marine catfi sh species of the family Ariidae(sea catfi shes)and Plotosidae(eel catfi shes)from the northern Arabian Sea coast of Pakistan.The specimens were sampled from December 2014 to November 2015,using bottom trawls with various mesh sizes by commercial vessels.The species were Nemapteryx caelatus,Sciades sona,Arius gagora,Batrachocephalus mino,Netuma thalassina,N.bilineata,Osteogeneiosus militaris,Plicofollis dussumieri,P.tenuispinis,Plotosus limbatus,and P.lineatus.Of the eleven species,two species A.gagora and N.bilineata were recorded for the fi rst time and LWRs for four species A.gagora,N.bilineata,S.sona,and B.mino still have no data in the Fish Base database.In addition,new maximum length for each of the three species N.bilineata,O.militaris and B.m ino was also found.     

Age,growth,and mortality rate of the yellow goosefish Lophius litulon(Jordan,1902) in the Yellow Sea

With the decline in the most fisheries resources in the Yellow Sea,the yellow goosefish Lophius litulon has increased in commercial and ecological importance in recent years.We studied the length distribution,length-weight relationship,age composition,growth pattern,mortality,and exploitation rates of the yellow goosefish in the Yellow Sea.Total length(TL) of females and males ranged from 173 to582 mm and 178 to 500 mm,respectively.The length-weight relationships were also estimated for females and males.Age classes from 2 to 4 years predominated in the samples.The von Bertalanffy growth function(VB GF),estimated based on non-linear least-squares methodology,showed significant differences between sexes.Females attained a greater estimated asymptotic total length(765 mm TL) compared to males(579 mm TL).The VBGF did not differ significantly between stocks of the northern Yellow Sea and the southern Yellow Sea.Estimated natural instantaneous mortality rate(M) ranged from 0.25/a to 0.33/abased on four age-and length-based methods.Total instantaneous mortality rate(Z) of total samples calculated by the age-based catch curve method was 0.591/a and the average fishing mortality(F) was 0.30/a.Estimated exploitation rate(E) was approximately 0.5,indicating that the population of L.litulon in the Yellow Sea may be sustainable.These results provide a reference for the present status of L.litulon and information for the management.     

Spatio-seasonal patterns of fish diversity,Haizhou Bay,China

Spatial-seasonal patterns in fish diversity in Haizhou Bay were studied based on stratified random surveys conducted in 2011.Principal component analysis was conducted to distinguish different diversity components,and the relationships among 11 diversity indices were explored.Generalized additive models were constructed to examine the environmental effects on diversity indices.Eleven diversity indices were grouped into four components:(1) species numbers and richness,(2) heterogeneous indices,(3) evenness,and(4) taxonomic relatedness.The results show that diversity indices among different components are complementary.Spatial patterns show that fish diversity was higher in coastal areas,which was affected by complex bottom topography and spatial variations of water mass and currents.Seasonal trends could be best explained by the seasonal migration of dominant fish species.Fish diversity generally declined with increasing depth except for taxonomic distinctness,which increased with latitude.In addition,bottom temperature had a significant effect on diversity index of richness.These results indicate that substrate complexity and environmental gradients had important influences on fish diversity patterns,and these factors should be considered in fishery resource management and conservation.Furthermore,diversity in two functional groups(demersal/pelagic fishes) was influenced by different environmental factors.Therefore,the distribution of individual species or new indicators in diversity should be applied to examine spatio-seasonal variations in fish diversity.     

Niches of dominant fish in the waters surrounding the Taishan Islands,China

An index of relative importance (IRI) was employed to screen for dominant fish in the waters surrounding the Taishan Islands, China, using data from four seasonal trawl surveys undertaken between 2012 and 2013. Niche breadth and niche overlap were measured using the Feinsinger and Morisita-Horn indices, respectively, and the characteristics and seasonal variations in the niches of dominant fish were assessed via non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and cluster analysis. A total of 80 fish species, including 16 dominant species, were recorded. Only Amblychaeturichthys hexanema was dominant in all seasons. According to niche breadth values and NMDS, the 16 dominant species were grouped into the following three types: (1) wide niche breadth species, including Cynoglossus macrolepidotus, A. hexanema, and Trypauchen vagina, among others; (2) medium niche breadth species, including Setipinna taty and Johnius belangerii; and (3) narrow niche breadth species, including Atrobucca nibe and Coilia mystus. Most species with a wider niche breadth were demersal fish with a lower swimming capability and even distribution. The niche breadth of migrating fish was narrower than that of settled fish. At a given spatial scale, fish with stronger swimming capabilities had a narrower niche breadth. Niche overlap, which is associated with niche specialization, ranged from 0.000 to 0.886 and had an annual mean value of 0.314. In summer and autumn, niche overlap was relatively high within species of the Sciaenidae family and within species of the Gobiidae in autumn. Differences in thermophily, feeding habits, food organism abundance/distribution and predator-prey relationships affected the niche overlap of fish in this area. Cluster analysis revealed that species with the narrowest niche breadth and lowest niche overlap values usually displayed lower aggregation and greater distribution differences compared with other species.     

PRIMARY FISH SURVEY IK THE HUANGHE RIVER ESTUARY

The survey in the, Huanghe River estuary indicated that the 85 fish species found there comprised three faunal elements: warm-water species (29.4%), warm-temperate species (55.3%) and cpld-temperate species. (15.3%). The seasonal changes of fish species, density and bipmass are obvious. The total biomass is highest (7699t) in August and lowest(489 t) in January. Setipinna taty has mean density of 9278 indiv/km2, and is the most important species constituting 25.5% of the total weight of fish caught. Trichiurus haumela was a dominant species in the 1950s, but no one was caught in this survey. There were obvious changes of the dominant fish species during the recent three decades. The demersal fish biomass has dropped greatly to only 1/10 in over 50 years since 1930.     

Primary fish survey in the Huanghe River estuary

The survey in the Huanghe River estuary indicated that the 85 fish species found there comprised three faunal elements: warm-water species (29.4%), warm-temperate species (55.3%) and cold-temperate species (15.3%). The seasonal changes of fish species, density and biomass are obvious. The total biomass is highest (7 699t) in August and lowest (489 t) in January.Setipinna taty has mean density of 9 278 indiv/km², and is the most important species constituting 25.5% of the total weight of fish caught.Trichiurus haumela was a dominant species in the 1950s, but no one was caught in this survey. There were obvious changes of the dominant fish species during the recent three decades. The demersal fish biomass has dropped greatly to only 1/10 in over 50 years since 1930. Contribution No. 2210 from the Institute of Oceanology, Academia Sinica.     

Morphological changes and allometric growth in hatcheryreared Chinese loach Paramisgurnus dabryanus(Dabry de Thiersant, 1872)

The length-weight relationship and allometric growth patterns of hatchery-reared Chinese loach, Paramisgurnus dabryanus(Dabry de Thiersant, 1872), were determined from hatching to 60 days after hatching. A best power model was estimated for the length-weight relationship during the early life stages. Positive allometric growth for the head segment, trunk length, tail length and eye diameter was also found in the early life stages, while body depth, tail depth, tail fi n length, pectoral fi n length and barbel length displayed a negative coeffi cient. During the subsequent early developmental stage, the growth coeffi cients showed a clear and common tendency towards isometry for all measured body ratios. The allometric growth changes in Chinese loach during the early stage are possibly the result of selective organogenesis directed towards survival priorities.     

东海中部夏季鱼类群落结构及其多样性分析

根据2008年8月东海区主要渔场重要渔业资源调查资料,分析东海中部鱼类的种类组成、区系特征、多样性等群落结构特征。结果表明:共调查捕获鱼类88种,其中暖水种59种,占67.0%;暖温种29种,占33.0%。相对重要性指数(IRI)值大于500的优势种鱼类共有5种,分别为带鱼、刺鲳、小黄鱼、六斑刺鲀和鳄齿鱼;种类丰富度指数变动范围为0.10～2.31,平均为0.88;Shannon-Wiener多样度指数变动范围为0.01～1.86,平均为0.87;种类均匀度指数变动范围为0.01～0.92,平均为0.41;东海中部夏季鱼类多样性指数与往年相比有下降的趋势。     

Morphological changes and allometric growth in hatchery-reared Chinese loach <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paramisgurnus dabryanus</Emphasis> (Dabry de Thiersant, 1872)

The length-weight relationship and allometric growth patterns of hatchery-reared Chinese loach, Paramisgurnus dabryanus (Dabry de Thiersant, 1872), were determined from hatching to 60 days after hatching. A best power model was estimated for the length-weight relationship during the early life stages. Positive allometric growth for the head segment, trunk length, tail length and eye diameter was also found in the early life stages, while body depth, tail depth, tail fin length, pectoral fin length and barbel length displayed a negative coefficient. During the subsequent early developmental stage, the growth coefficients showed a clear and common tendency towards isometry for all measured body ratios. The allometric growth changes in Chinese loach during the early stage are possibly the result of selective organogenesis directed towards survival priorities.     

Fish Assemblage Responses to a Low-head Dam Removal in the Lancang River

Dam removal is becoming an effective approach for aquatic biodiversity restoration in damming river in order to balance the aquatic ecosystem conservation with large-scale cascade damming. However, the effects of dam removal on fish communities in Asian mountainous rivers, which are dominated by Cypriniformes fishes, are still not well known. To determine whether dam removal on a mountainous river benefit restoration of fish diversity, we investigated the response of fish assemblage to dam removal using a before-after-control-impact design in two tributaries of the Lancang River(dam removal river: the Jidu River, and control river: the Fengdian River). Fish surveys were conducted one year prior to dam removal(2012) and three years(2013–2015) following dam removal. We observed rapidly and notably spatio-temporal changes in fish biodiversity metrics and assemblage structure, occurring in the Jidu River within the first year after dam removal. Overall, fish species richness, density and Shannon-Wiener diversity all increased immediately in above-and below-dam sites, and maintained a stable level in subsequent years, compared to unchanged situation in the control river. All sites in the Jidu River experienced shifts in fish composition after dam removal, with the greatest temporal changes occurred in sites below-and above-the former dam, resulting in a temporal homogenization tendency in the dam removed river. These findings suggest that dam removal can benefit the recovery of habitat conditions and fish community in Asian mountainous rivers, but the results should be further evaluated when apply to other dammed rivers since the dam age, fluvial geomorphology and situation of source populations could all affect the responses of fish assemblages.     

尼罗罗非鱼体重与体维可量性状之间的关系

以尼罗罗非鱼为研究对象,通过测量和回归分析,研究体重与体维可量性状之间的相关关系。结果表明:体重与体长、身长、全长、体高、体厚等形态特征性状的相关性均高于0.85,呈较高的正相关关系;多元回归方程lnW=a+b1lnLS+b2lnDB和lnW=a+b1lnLC+b2lnDB对于全体数据的拟合度分别为0.958和0.955,拟合度较高,且在实际检验中效果较好,超过88%的个体误差范围在5.0%之内,可有效反映出不同体维性状对鱼类体重的影响。     

Larva fish assemblage structure in three-dimensional floating wetlands and non-floating wetlands in the Changjiang River estuary

Fish populations have declined in many estuarine and freshwater ecosystems in part due to the loss of habitat in recent decades.Reconstructing lost habitat for larvae fish is a potential method for recovering larvae fish populations.Three-dimensional artificial floating wetlands(AFWs) on which Phragmites australis was planted were experimentally deployed to recover the lost habitat in the Changjiang(Yangtze) River estuary from May to July 2018.The AFW area was characterized by slow velocity,high transparency,low dissolved oxygen,and relatively constant water temperature.The total individuals of larvae fish in the AFW area(12 122 in total) was higher than that in the non-AFW area(1 250 in total),and the densities of most larvae fish species were higher in the AFW habitat than in the non-AFW area.The distributions of larvae fish species were positively influenced by habitat type because they were strongly related to the negative part of the first axis of the redundancy analysis,and Cyprinus carpio and Cyprinus auratus were inclined to habitat in the slow velocity and high transparency AFW habitat area.These results indicate that larvae fish species are inclined to inhabit the AFW habitat.The use of three-dimensional P.australis AFWs would be a potential method for enhancing the habitat of larvae fish in the degraded habitats along the estuary.     

Population parameters and dynamic pool models of commercial fishes in the Beibu Gulf, northern South China Sea

Length-frequency data of eight commercial fish species in the Beibu Gulf (Golf of Tonkin), northern South China Sea, were collected during 2006-2007. Length-weight relationships and growth and mortality parameters were analyzed using FiSAT II software. Five species had isometric growth, two species had negative allometric growth, and one species had positive allometric growth. Overall, the exploitation rates of the eight species were lower in 2006-2007 than in 1997-1999: for four species (Saurida tumbil, Saurida undosquamis, Argyrosomus macrocephalus, and Nemipterus virgatus) it was lower in 2006-2007 than in 1997-1999, for two species (Parargyrops edita and Trichiurus haumela) it remained the same, and for the other two species (Trachurus japonicus and Decapterus maruadsi) it was higher in 2006-2007 than in 1997-1999. The exploitation rates might have declined because of the decline in fishing intensity caused by high crude oil prices. The optimum exploitation rate, estimated using Beverton-Holt dynamic pool models, indicated that although fishes in the Beibu Gulf could sustain high exploitation rates, the under-size fishes at first capture resulted in low yields. To increase the yield per recruitment, it is more effective to increase the size at first capture than to control fishing effort.     

Are the fish of the upper and lower Mekong interconnected？

The Mekong supports one of the richest inland fisheries in the world, with many of the fish migrating long distance to spawn. Little is known about the fisheries and migration strategies of the Upper Mekong whilst it is supposed that many fish species move between the Lower and Upper Mekong. Most likely, natural fish migration in the river has been altered by dam construction across the mainstream of the Upper Mekong. In this paper, the interconnectivity of fish species between different sections of the Mekong and negative impacts of dams on migratory fish are studied. Of the 162 fish species in the Upper Mekong and the 869 species in the Lower Mekong, 61 species are common. Results show that there is no significant difference at order level between the UM and LM. Similarity coefficients are used to evaluate interconnectivity at species, genus and family levels among four different sections of the Upper Mekong with each other and with the Lower Mekong as a whole. The highest similarity is found between the middle and lower reach of the Upper Mekong at species and genus levels and the middle and upper reach at family level. Of the eight cascade dams, Mengsong Dam in planning is considered as the biggest threat to migratory fish from the Lower Mekong and should be particularly concerned. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40601096)     

ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION AND BREEDING OF MARINE FISH IN CHINA

Since the 1990s, artificial propagation and breeding technique of marine fish in China have developed by way of increasing species and fry numbers, with special stress laid on valuable species. Large quantities of artificial fry can meet the needs of both marine cage culture and pond culture for most species. Experimental results obtained by scientists have been put into use in actual production.Fish fry production has entered a period of sustainable development. So far, at least 44 species (21 families) of marine fish have been successfully bred in China. The artificial fry number of large yellow croaker ( Pseudosciaena crocea) exceeded 300 million in 1999. The species whose artificial fry numbers have each surpassed 10 million annually are red drum ( Sciaenops ocellatus ), Japanese seabass ( Lateolabrax japonicus), cuneate drum (Nibea miichthioides ), spring spawning red seabream (Pagrosomus major ) and threebanded sweethp ( Plectorhynchus cinctus ). Millions of artificial fry are bred annually in the species of black porgy ( Sparus macrocephalus ), Russell‘ s snapper ( Lutjanus russeUi ), javelin gnmt ( Pomadasys hasta ), miiuy croaker ( Miichthys miiuy) and skewband gnmt ( Hapalogenys nitens ). The fish in the family Sciaenidae are the main species in artificial propagation and breeding. Some problems and prospects on marine fish culture and stock enhancement are also discussed and some proposals for sustainable development are put forward in this article.     

Long-term monitoring revealed fish assemblage zonation in the Three Gorges Reservoir

Reservoirs are important artificial ecosystems that modify the hydrological and ecological characteristics of a river.Knowledge of the basic characteristics of fish assemblages in reservoirs is a first step toward the development of effective conservation policies.We used the information collected over a10-year period(2006-2015)to assess the structure of the fish assemblages in the Three Gorge Reservoir(TGR)in a river-dam gradient.Three fish zones were detected in TGR.Species richness was the highest in the upper zone and lowest in the lower zone.The riverine zones were dominated by rheophilic species Coreius guichenoti and Pelteobagrus vachelli.The transitional zones were dominated by Coreius heterodon and Rhinogobio cylindricus.The lacustrine zones were dominated by eurytopic species Hypophthalmichthys molitrix,Aristichthys nobilis,Hemiculter bleekeri and Cyprinus carpio.For the functional characteristics,fish assemblages in riverine and transitional zones were dominated by insectivorous species,equilibrium strategists and rheophilic species(e.g.,Coreius heterodon and Coreius guichenoti).In lacustrine zones,the fish assemblage was dominated by habitat generalists common to lakes and reservoirs(e.g.,Hemiculter bleekeri,Hypophthalmichthys molitrix,Aristichthys nobilis).Moreover,18 exotic species(e.g.,Protosalanx hyalocranius,Ictalurus punctatus,Megalobrama amblycephala,Tilapia)were collected in TGR,most of which only existed in the lacustrine zone.The results highlight the importance of freely flowing riverine reaches for conserving native fish in the upper Changjiang River and adaptive management strategies for fisheries in TGR.     

镇江长江豚类省级自然保护区鱼类多样性及年际变化

【目的】调查了解镇江豚类保护区鱼类资源状况,丰富鱼类资源本底数据。【方法】于2013、2016和2019年,分别开展3次渔业资源调查,对该区域鱼类种类组成、优势种、体型大小及群落多样性进行统计分析。【结果】共记录鱼类68种属于7目13科47属;鲤形目(Cypriniformes)鱼类种类占比较为稳定,鲇形目(Siluriformes)鱼类资源量有下降趋势,鲈形目(Siluriformes)鱼类种类占比上升明显;不同年份优势种替代较为明显;2016年的物种丰富度指数和多样性指数最高,分别为6.528、3.026。【结论】保护区鱼类资源较为丰富,但不同年份鱼类群落变化较为明显,渔业资源面临小型化趋势。     

雷州半岛红树林海区的鱼类种类调查

对雷州半岛8个红树林分布区设站位进行了生物多样性调查,其中获得鱼类127种,分别隶属于15目58科100属。以鲈形目最多,共27科49属65种,占51.2％。种类出现最多的科为(鱼叚)虎鱼科。采获种类最多的站位为北潭。各站位之间鱼类种类具有一定的差异性。调查获得的鱼类体型偏小,大部分种类具有食用价值,其中16种已为人工增养殖的对象。     

湛江港海域游泳动物群落结构及多样性分析

【目的】研究湛江港海域的游泳动物资源结构及多样性特征。【方法】根据2016—2017年湛江港海域4个季度的底拖网渔业资源调查数据,采用相对重要性指数(index of relative importance,IRI)、Margalef丰富度指数(D)、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H')、Pielou均匀度指数(J)和ABC曲线(abundance-biomass comparison curve)分析该海域游泳动物的种类组成、优势种和多样性水平等群落结构特征。【结果】该海域共发现游泳动物173种,隶属于16目68科116属;其中鱼类种类数最多(98种,占总种类数的56.7%),以底层鱼类和暖水性鱼类为主;其次是甲壳类(66种,占38.2%),头足类最少(9种,占5.2%)。4个季节的优势种累计有11种(鱼类6种、甲壳类5种),其中条纹叫姑鱼(Johnius fasciatus)是春、夏、秋3个季节的共同优势种。从时间维度上看,秋季的H'、D均为最高,而春季的J最高;从空间维度上看,湛江港口门处S6站位多样性水平相对较高。ABC曲线结果显示,湛江港海域游泳动物群落在冬季受干扰程度高于其它3个季节。【结论】湛江港海域游泳动物种类丰富,其中鱼类是主要的游泳动物类群。     

Status and historical changes in the fish community in Erhai Lake

Erhai Lake is the second largest freshwater lake on the Yunnan Plateau, Southwest China. In recent decades, a number of exotic fish species have been introduced into the lake and the fish community has changed considerably. We evaluated the status of the fish community based on surveys with multimesh gillnet, trap net, and benthic fyke-net between May 2009 and April 2012. In addition, we evaluated the change in the community using historical data (1952–2010) describing the fish community and fishery harvest. The current fish community is dominated by small-sized fishes, including Pseudorasbora parva, Rhinogobius giurinus, Micropercops swinhonis, Hemiculter leucisculus, and Rhinogobius cliffordpopei. These accounted for 87.7% of the 22 546 total specimens collected. Omnivorous and carnivorous species dominated the community. A canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) plot revealed that the distribution of fishes in the lake is influenced by aquatic plants, water temperature, pH, and season. The abundance of indigenous species has declined sharply, and a majority of endemic species have been extirpated from the lake (a decrease from seven to two species). In contrast, the number of exotic species has increased since the 1960s to a total of 22 at present. The fishery harvest decreased initially following the 1960s, but has since increased due to the introduction of non-native fish and stocking of native fish. The fishery harvest was significantly correlated with total nitrogen, not total phosphorus, during the past 20 years. Based on our results, we discuss recommendations for the restoration and conservation of the fish resources in Erhai Lake.