CORRELATIONS BETWEEN MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATION IN THREE SPECIES OF FRESHWATER FISH

Abstract

This study is based on length-weight relationship for three species of freshwater fish (Carassius gibelio, Rhodeus sericeus amarus and Scardinius erythrophthalmus), collected from a section of Siret River, Galbeni Accumulation, Romania. Fish specimens were sampled from the infiltration channel and from the old riverbed, in a randomly way and were identified using keys and descriptions. Total length and weight were measured using standard methods. To find the mean lengths and weights of the classes were used data analysis. The link between the environment and life cycle of the fish was highlighted by calculating the allometric factor (length-weight ratio LWR), the results showing strong correlations between this factor and the accumulation of metals in the tissues examined (gills, muscles and scales), as well as a positive influence of the sampling site upon fish development.

Keywords

• condition factor
• fish species
• heavy metals
• length-weight relationship
• morphological characteristics.