The peculiarities of nearshore fish communities in the Vita River mouth and Dnipro River straits

Purpose. To investigate the current state of nearshore fish communities and peculiarities aquatic plants zoobenthos distribution in Vita River mouth Dnipro channels. Methodology. The study was carried out summer autumn 2022 at 4 sampling sites 3 straits Zhukov Island area. Fishes were caught by a beach seine (6 m length, 1.5 height, сm mesh size). Two to three hauls made every site depending on riverbank bottom structure. identified species level keeping them containers with fresh water. Then they released alive river. Findings. Higher vegetation investigated area presented mainly high grasses attached free-floating leaves (associations common reed Phragmites australis – crisp-leaved pondweed Potamogeton crispus; + lesser bulrush Typha angustifolia yellow water-lily Nuphar lutea). These characterized optimal oxygen regime for development periphyton lithophilic groups zoobenthos, main prey benthophagous euryphagous fishes. biomass benthic invertebrates 9.44 g/m2, their abundance 24400 ind./m2. In straits, 25 5 genera recorded. thirds native species; most abundant white bream (Blicca bjoerkna Linnaeus, 1758), roach (Rutilus rutilus monkey goby (Neogobius fluviatilis Pallas, 1814). share neolimnetics 28%, among which gobies (Gobiidae) dominated. general, long-cycle fishes dominated (44%). Of total number, 52% limnophiles, 32% reophiles. psamolithophiles 40%, phytophiles 40%. It shows that these river reaches are very important spawning mentioned ecological fish. area, dominated, represented associations salvinia or floating fern (Salvinia natans) small duckweed (Lemna minor). dominant phytophilous group had 5.78 g/m2 8365 this 14 7 registered, rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus 1758). formed maximal fauna. 14.3% remote invaders. Fish community coastal areas long medium cycle species. indifferent limnophiles 50 43% respectively. Phytophiles relation substrate (57%). Five included into protection lists various levels: knife (Pelecus cultratus European bitterling (Rhodeus amarus Bloch, 1782), ide (Idus idus nase (Chondrostoma nasus asp (Aspius aspius Originality. A comprehensive analysis associations, out. Ecological structure littoral established composition relative abundance, feeding type, life cycle, type water current. studied pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus 1758) recorded first time. This indicates its naturalization range expansion. Practical value. preservation landscape biotope conditions adjacent is reproduction typical ichthyological middle section. detection rare provides grounds expansion Emerald Network Resolution 6 Bern Convention, as well natural habitats, Convention. Key words: communities, species, alien Network.