Species Composition, Abundance and Distribution of Ichthyoplankton of the Pelagic Zone in the Lithuanian part of the Curonian Lagoon in Early June

Abstract

Investigations of ichthyoplankton were conducted in the pelagic zone in the Lithuanian part of the Curonian Lagoon in early June 2005. Among the larvae of bream (Abramis brama L.), perch (Perca fluviatilis L.), smelt (Osmerus eperlanus L.), twaite shad (Alosa fallax Lacepede) and ruff (Gymnocephalus cernuus L.) constituting the overall ichthyoplankton those of bream (59.4%) and perch (28.7%) prevailed. The lowest density of ichthyoplankton was recorded in the south near the river mouths and in the north of the investigated pelagic zone. The highest abundance of fish larvae was found in the eastern part of the Curonian Lagoon, near and to the south of Kintai, where the spawning grounds of the above mentioned fish species, except of smelt, are located and the most favourable feeding conditions are provided. Water currents also affected the accumulation of ichthyoplankton in this part, as well as in the area near and between the waterways. Smelt larvae migrate from spawning grounds to the Baltic Sea mainly t...