Juvenile Fish Associated With Pondweed and Charophyte Habitat in the Curonian Lagoon

Submerged macrophytes are essential elements of sublittoral ecosystems to maintain a diverse fish fauna. The aim this study was assess juvenile associated with macrophyte habitats in the Curonian Lagoon by means modified pop net method. We focused on two dominant littoral different structure (pondweed and charophyte stands). nets sampling carried out sites located freshwater oligohaline part lagoon July September 2019-2020. Our upgraded reduced risk under recommended for monitoring fishes since method has relatively low disturbance behavior habitat itself. most efficient time shallow is at night, where least 4 samples collected sufficient represent biggest (> 70%) assemblage, but covering times day recommended. In total, 14 species were recorded, perch European roach dominated (respectively 48% 24%). Half (8) stands, although water salinity temperature important factors explaining variance abundance followed biomass macrophytes. Based duration within these habitats, roach, nine-spined three-spined stickleback mainly pondweed while spined loach, round goby, perch, ruffe gudgeon stands. increase stands 2005 affected assemblage it should have enhanced ruffe, loach partly goby.