Interannual variability in seasonal dynamics and species composition of drifting young‐of‐the‐year fishes in two European lowland rivers

Abstract

st young‐of‐the‐year (YOY) fishes in two lowland rivers in the Czech Republic (Danube Basin) drifted from mid‐May to mid‐July and almost exclusively at night. The peak of drift density lasted c. 3 weeks and depended on water temperature (by its effect on fish spawning), but not on discharge. Peak drift densities varied between years and rivers from 80 to 1354 fish 1000 m−3. More than 98% of drifting fish were cyprinids. Rutilus rutilus, Rhodeus sericeus, Gobio spp., Alburnus alburnus and Abramis brama were dominate in the 22 species encountered in the River Morava. Carassius auratus gibelio and R. sericeus were the most common of 17 species in the River Kyjovka. Species composition of drifting fishes was similar among years in the Morava but varied in the Kyjovka. The species composition of drifting fishes did not differ from those of the YOY fish assemblage in nursery areas during the drift season. Relative abundances in nursery areas decreased after the drift season in species that dominated in the drift, but increased in those that avoided drift. It is suggested that drift is a regular part of the life history of many cyprinid fishes and interannual variability in density and species composition of drifting YOY fish can be explained by variable spawning success among years. Differences in the relative abundances of the YOY fish assemblage in nurseries during and after the drift season suggests that drift may cause significant mortality.