Endemic fishes inhabiting some hot springs of Hormozgan province

Abstract

This study investigated the fish species inhabiting hot springs of Hormozgan province including Geno, Khoorgoo, Sargez Khoorgoo, Siahkosh and Pahash . According to previous studies and the present study, the Aphanius ginaonis was the unique species in Geno hot spring. Fingerlings and mature females of A. ginaonis were remarkably found in the spring in August. While, previous studies reported the the breeding season for this species in July. Therefore, it is likely that A. ginaonis reproduce throughout the summer. On the other hand A. dispar was found as the unique species in Khoorgoo and Pahash springs. Moreover, a worm form arthropod larvae was recognized in the gill of Khoorgoo Aphanius. In addition, a remarkable number of A. dispar larvae were observed in August, showing that the reproduction seaoson of this species in the pahash spring is in August. In Sargez Khoorgoo spring, A. dispar with mature ovaries were found in March. We observed Aphanius sp. and two varieties of Iranian cichlid Iranocichla hormuzensis species that were clearly different in two water sources.

Keywords

• warm mineral spring
• hormozgan province
• aphanius ginaonis