Analyzing habitat preferences of Capoeta razii (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) at different ages in the Zarem stream, Iran

Abstract

Understanding habitat preference is important in many terms such as management of fish populations, assessment of river health, river restoration, etc. In this regard, we chose Capoeta razii , one of the most abundant species in the Caspian Sea rivers, to study its habitat preferences in different ages.  As pilot, Zarem Stream, a main tributary of Tajan River with low pressures and high habitat diversity, was selected. After collecting fish species in different random points, the environmental variables in the sampled areas were measured immediately after sampling. Habitat preferences analysis for different ages of this species showed that each age has almost own specific preference in terms of flow velocity, depth as well as abiotic and biotic substrate.