Ichthyofauna species composition comparison in two estuarine lakes: Ptasi Raj and Mikoszewskie located in the Natura 2000 site "Ostoja w Ujściu Wisły"

Abstract

The purpose of the following studies was to get knowledge about the composition of the ichthyofauna of two estuarine lakes: Mikoszewskie and Ptasi Raj in the Natura 2000 area “Ostoja w Ujściu Wisły” (PLH220044), located within the delta estuary created by two channels of the Vistula river: Wisła Śmiała and Przekop Wisły, reaching the Gulf of Gdańsk. Despite the research conducted on the existing flora and fauna in both nature reserves, the ichthyofauna of the lakes has not been studied so far. In order to determine as completely as possible the taxonomic composition and the quantitative structure of ichthyofauna, the different fishing gear was used: fyke nets, NORDIC multimash survey gillnets, minnow traps. In Mikoszewskie lake, there were caught a total of 774 fish representing 17 species. Higher fish number in catches, with a comparable effort applied, were recorded on the Ptasi Raj lake, where a total of 2032 fish representing 16 species were captured. Out of all 26 species found, only 9 of them were found in both water reservoirs. As it transpires from the above data, both lakes, despite seemingly similar location, due to different hydrological conditions, clearly differ in terms of the structure of inhabiting ichthyofauna. Based on the analysis of the results of conducted fish catches, it can be concluded that the ichthyofauna of the Mikoszewskie Lake is characteristic for freshwater habitats, whereas in the waters of the Ptasi Raj lake, fish populations depend on a permanent connection with the estuary waters of the Wisła Śmiała channel.