Fish fauna of the lower reaches of the River Drava and surrounding marshland habitats near Donji Miholjac (Eastern Croatia)

Abstract

A field research of ichthyofauna of the lower reaches of the River Drava near Donji Miholjac was made during 2006 using fishing nets and electrofisher. Additional data was collected from the local anglers to present all caught species in this area. Sampling was conducted on all types of water habitats including side arms, artificial channels, backwater arms and the main river channel. A total of 44 fish species were reported. Six species were documented from the catch of local anglers. The family Cyprinidae is represented by 24 species, Percidae by 4, Cobitidae by 3, Gobiidae and Centrarchidae by 2, while the remaining families were represented by 1 species. The most abundant species in this part of the River Drava is roach (Rutilus rutilus). The largest part of total biomass belongs to bream (Abramis brama). Other important species according to abundance in the examined area are: bitterling (Rhodeus amarus), European perch (Perca fluviatilis), silver bream (Blicca bjoerkna) and common bleak (Alburnus alburnus). According to the ichthyofauna composition, the explored area is classified as a typical bream zone which is characteristic for the lower part of the river.

Keywords

• drava
• lower reaches
• ichthyofauna
• eastern croatia