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Microhabitat use by two small benthic stream fish in a 2nd order stream

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Abstract

Direct observation of two benthic fish species — the stone loach (Barbatula barbatula) and the gudgeon (Gobio gobio) — in the field revealed a spatial segregation between the species in a study area with shallow riffle and moderately deeper pool sections. Stone loach generally inhabited shallow, more current-exposed locations and gudgeon preferred deeper, mostly sandy areas. The small individuals of both species were confined to shallow muddy locations and the larger individuals were found in deeper and more current exposed areas.

The main factor affecting microhabitat choice was the flow regime:

  • it was a limiting factor for the stone loach, where the discharge rates controlled the presence of fish in the study area.

  • distribution patterns of both species were influenced by discharge and by fluctuations in discharge.

The following mechanisms regulating the distribution of stone loach and gudgeon are hypothesized:

  1. (A)

    Gudgeon: They prefer high water depth, low current velocities and sandy substrate, which strongly limits their spatial niche. Mainly relatively small individuals (size class 2; 6—9 cm) changed microhabitat in relation to environmental parameters. Size class 3 (approx. 9—12 cm) may be interpreted as a rather unpredictable transitory period between juvenile and adult stage. Large gudgeon entered the observation area mainly when discharge rates were high and variable. Increasing discharge rates increased the spatial niche of the large gudgeon.

  2. (B)

    Stone loach: At low flow rates, the observation area seemed to be an optimal place for the stone loach. Changes in environmental conditions are reflected in the distribution patterns. The transition between juvenile and adult microhabitat use takes place in size class 2. Under high and/or variable flow regime the species was not found in the observation area.

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  1. Dept. Limnology, Inst. f. Zoology, A-1090, Vienna, Austria

    Irene Zweimüller

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  1. Irene Zweimüller
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Zweimüller, I. Microhabitat use by two small benthic stream fish in a 2nd order stream. Hydrobiologia 303, 125–137 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00034050

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