Iranian Journal of Ichthyology
Volume:6 Issue: 2, Jun 2019

The systematics, morphology, distribution, biology and economic importance of the tench of Iran are described, the species is illustrated, and a bibliography on this fish in Iran is provided. There is a single species, Tinca tinca , found in the Caspian Sea basin.

Fars Province, as one of the largest provinces in Iran, has a significant fresh water fish diversity. The present work aimed to review the book entitled “Fish Species Diversity of Fars”, published by Fars Environmental Protection Agency in 2016. In this book, a list of fish species has been described from Fars Province. It provides important information on the taxonomy, morphological, biological, and ecological characteristics and conservation status of fish species. Hence, considering the rich content of this book, it is suggested for ichthyologist and others researches and students in fields of aquaculture, fisheries and biology.

Shrimp-associated gobies are burrowing fish of small to medium size that are common inhabitants of sand and mud substrates throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Due to specific habitat preference, cryptic behavior, the small size and sampling difficulties, many gobies were previously overlooked and thus the knowledge about their distribution is rather scarce. This study presents lagoon shrimp goby, Cryptocentrus cyanotaenia, as additional fish element for the Iranian waters in the coast of Hormuz Island (Strait of Hormuz). The distribution range of lagoon shrimp goby was in the Western Central Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean. This species is distinguished by the several traits such as body elongate and compressed, snout truncate, body brownish grey color with 11 vertical narrow whitish blue lines on the sides, largely greenish yellow on head and mandible, head and base of pectoral fin with numerous short blue oblique broken lines and spots with markings on the head and snout. Providing data on C. cyanotaenia which is now widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific, would offer particularly valuable information on the biogeography of species.

To our knowledge, no study is available on the relationships between otolith mass and age as well as body weight and length of Chondrostoma regium (Heckel, 1843) in the Zayandeh River, hence the present study attempted to examine this rather simple, efficient and cost-effective approach to contribute in providing more objective information required in age-related studies of this species. During March-April 2017 random samples of C. regium were collected by a river seine in the Zayandeh River. Sampled fish ages were between 2 to 5 years and ranges of total length, body weight and otolith mass averages of samples were 82.2-161.6mm, 5.35-42.35g and 4.1-7.3mg, respectively. As the fish grow, total length, body weight and otolith mass averages showed a clear increasing trend. The results revealed significant positive relationships between variability of body length and otolith weight (P<0.05) as well as variability of body weight and otolith mass (P<0.05) of C. regium. Furthermore, an obvious significant increasing trend of otolith mass with age increment (P<0.05) is found. The average weights of otoliths in the present study increased with age, length and weight which evidently confirms that the otolith mass increase in C. regium is in compliance with somatic growth through the ontogenetic processes.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of fishing in Iranian part of the Caspian Sea during 1991-2017 years using fishing-in-balance (FiB), mean trophic level (MTI), ratio of pelagic and demersal fish landings (P/D) and piscivory (PI) indices. The mean (±S.D) of MTI were 2.91±0.38 (95% C.I =3.14-2.67). Its value is first reduced and then increase happened and ultimately stays constant. The mean of FiB was 0.13 (95% C.I=0.28-(-0.02)) and its trend was similar to that of total landing. The mean of Pi index, P/D index, pelagic fish and demersal fish were 0.04±0.02 (95% C.I=0.09-(-0.012)), 3.16±2.31 (95% C.I = 0.6(-0.52)), 38529±22883 (95% C.I=38585-38472) and 13380±3314 (95% C.I= 3401-13358), respectively. The results revealed that the fish stock in the Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea have been over-exploited. Considering that fishing impacts on the trophic level, we suggest that the fishery management should not continue this trend.

The development of cartilaginous and osteological structures of the dorsal, anal and caudal fins, and axial skeleton in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was studied under three temperature treatments (22, 28 and 34ºC). Fish samples were collected periodically during the developmental stage from hatching up to 39 days post hatching. Bone and cartilage development were evaluated. The results showed that the pattern and sequence of development and appearance of these elements in the three treatments are similar, and the difference is in timing of appearance and ossification of skeletal elements. Samples from 34ºC started and ended bone formation earlier, but these process in 22ºC treatment was very late. The temperature on the onset and end of chondrogenesis and ossification had a profound effect; these effects on 22ºC treatment were severe than other treatments. The sequences of the chondrogenesis and ossification process was well conserved at all temperature treatments.

For decades, the Mediterranean Sea received many invasive marine biota, which found their corridors to the Mediterranean environment through various ways, benefiting from the climate changes. On March 2019, a field trip was performed in the marine waters facing Banyas city, Syria, a specimen of the spotfin cardinal fish Jaydia queketti (Gilchrist, 1903) was caught. This record fills the gap in the species distribution along the eastern Mediterranean; between northern (Iskenderun Bay) and southern (Ashdod) coasts, and it is considered as the first report of this fish in the Syrian marine waters.