Habitat preferences of small fish species in rivers at the eastern edge of Europe

Abstract We studied the probability of occurrence, distribution and abundance eight small fish species in 512 rivers at eastern edge Europe a region high geographical environmental heterogeneity. Stone loach, common minnow, gudgeon were recorded more than 50% study sites. Common minnow was most abundant species, contributing 66% all captures. Elevation, depth, width river main factors influencing half species. Our research shows that preferences terms abundance, niche breadth for can vary greatly, even among closely related depth.