Ecological Characteristics of the Ichthyoplankton of the Curonian Lagoon

Abstract

Larvae of 12 fish species were caught during the research on ichthyoplankton in the Curonian Lagoon in 1996-1999. Perch and smelt larvae predominate in the open part of the Curonian Lagoon, while roach larvae predominate in its coastal zone. The highest density of fish larvae was determined in the coastal zone at Ventė Cape and in the open part of the lagoon between Ventė and Kintai. The lowest density of fish larvae was observed at the mouths of the Skirvytė, Vitynė and Atmata rivers and further north of Dreverna. Bream and roach larvae were more often met in surface waters, while ruff larvae mostly occurred at the bottom. In the open part of the Curonian Lagoon, the mean density of ichthyoplankton varied between 4.1 and 29.3 individuals per m3 at the end of May and at the beginning of June in different years. The highest mean density of ichthyoplankton was determined in 1997. In the coastal zone of the Curonian Lagoon, the density of fish larvae reached 374.3 individuals per m3. At the beginning of July...