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Freshwater fish diversity of the Danube River in Croatia

The Danube River in part of its middle course flows throughout the Republic of Croatia, in length of 137.5 km. Taxonomic diversity, composition, threats and protection status of the freshwater fish fauna of the Danube River in Croatia, were analysed. Actual diversity comprises 81 species or 59 % of the known freshwater fish fauna of Croatia, arranged into 27 families and 13 orders. The most numerous families are: Leuciscidae (18 species), Percidae (9), Acipenseridae and Cyprinidae (6 species each). There are 8 species endemic for the Danube catchment, 18 alien species and 2 invasive alien species of Union concern: Lepomis gibbosus and Pseudorasbora parva. Recent findings of alien fish species had been recorded: Morone saxatilis x M. chrysops (in 2010), Polyodon spatula (in 2011), and Clarias gariepinus (in 2016). Number of threatened species included in Red Book of Freshwater Fish in Croatia is 37, of which the most (16 species) in category of vulnerable species, and 5 species from the Acipenseridae family in category of regionally extinct species. Strictly protected species in the Republic of Croatia are 23 species, while 8 species are included as target species for three sites of the ecological network Natura 2000 in Croatia. Freshwater fish fauna of the Danube River in Croatia possess an important biological and ecological value, as well as large potential for the economic exploitation, based on the sustainable management with fish stocks and conservation of endangered species.

freshwater fish ; diversity ; Danube Croatia ; IAS

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