Iranian Journal of Ichthyology
Volume:2 Issue: 3, Sep 2015

The systematics, morphology, distribution, biology, economic importance and conservation of the sticklebacks and pipefishes of Iran are described, the species are illustrated, and a bibliography on these fishes is provided. There are two sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus, an exotic, and Pungitius platygaster, a native) and one native pipefish (Syngnathus caspius), the natives found in the Caspian Sea basin and the exotic in that basin and adjacent basins. The family Gasterosteidae is characterised by a compressed, fusiform body, teeth in bands in each jaw but none on the tongue or palate, a protractile mouth, 3 branchiostegal rays, no postcleithrum, no scales but a series of plates along the flank variably developed, sometimes absent, 2 or more (usually 3-16) isolated spines in front of a soft dorsal fin (usually 6-14 rays), and a pelvic fin with a strong spine and only 0-2 soft rays. The body of pipefishes of the family Syngnathidae is characteristic, being very thin and very elongated, and enclosed in bony rings as a form of armour. The body is divided into a trunk and a tail, the tail being prehensile in seahorses. The first trunk ring has the pectoral fin base and the last has the anus in it. The snout is elongated with a small toothless mouth at the tip. Gills are tufted and the gill opening is small. There are 1-3 branchiostegal rays. There is a single dorsal fin without spines, the pelvic fins are absent and the pectoral, anal and caudal fins may be absent too. The caudal is always small when present. The anal fin is always small with only 2-6 rays. Those without a caudal fin may have the tail prehensile, able to grasp and hold onto objects.

In this study 485 specimen of Garra rufa (Heckel, 1843) from 29 populations from six river systems and basins including Tigris, Karkheh, Karun, Persis (Helleh and Mond), Hormuz and Maharlu were collected by a 5mm mesh sized seine net, anesthetized in 1% clove oil solution, fixed in 10% formalin and transferred to the laboratory for further investigations. Some 28 morphometric, 25 morphometric proportion and 10 meristic traits were examined. Different mean comparison methods, parametric and non-parametric analyses were used for statistical analyses. In comparison of the six aforementioned basins, for the proportions, Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) for all the other traits, but the ratios of dorsal fin base/SL and pectoral fin/SL, showed significant differences (P

Paraschistura Prokofiev, 2009 is a newly described genus based on osteological characters, but detailed information for all species of the genus is not available. To describe osteological characteristics of the endemic species of Paraschistura nielseni, twelve specimens were collected from the Shapur River of Persis basin which drains to the Persian Gulf and their osteological characteristics were examined. According to the results, P. nielseni is characterised by bearing a square-shaped prevomer, four basibranchials, a semi-ossified sesamoid, a non-alveolar bony swim bladder capsule, and separated pelvic bone bases. Based on these features, P. nielseni could be distinguished from other loaches species.

The current study is focused on determination of the accumulation rate of Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) in the liver and muscle tissues of the Caspian Kutum fish. Specimens were collected randomly from twelve stations in Mazandaran Province, the Caspian Sea Basin, between October 2009 and March 2010. Fork length, weight and length-weight relationship of samples were measured. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that there is a significant difference for Pb and Cd content in liver and muscle (P

The genetic polymorphism of insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP-3) and its association with the growth traits namely condition factor, body weight, and total length were investigated in common carp Cyprinus carpio using PCR- single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique. Caudal fin clips from 120 C. carpio, aging 5 months, were used in this study and a 330 bp DNA fragment was amplified from 5'-UTR of carp IGFBP-3. SSCP genotyping yielded seven different banding patterns namely A, B, C, D, E, F, and G with frequencies of 14.16, 12.5, 21.67, 9.17, 11.67, 10.0, and 20.84, respectively. The obtained results showed a relatively high polymorphic behavior of 5'-UTR regulatory region of studied locus; therefore it shows the importance of this region in regulation of transcription of IGFBP-3 gene in carp. Marker-trait association showed significant relationships between the detected genotypes and condition factor (CF). IGFBP-3 gene polymorphism in joint with CF signifies relatively high genetic diversity and significant potential for marker-assisted selection in this species.

Fish biodiversity investigation in Urmia basin which is a part of Irano-Anatolian hot spot aimed to determine the state of fish in this endorheic basin. Based on the obtained results, freshwater fish species of the Urmia basin comprise 29 species in 25 genera, 7 families, 5 orders and one class. The most diverse order is the Cypriniformes with 23 species (79.31%) followed by Salmoniformes and Perciformes each with two species (2 species, 6.9%), Siluriformes and Cyprinodontiformes each with one species (1 species, 3.45%). The most diverse family is the Cyprinidae with 20 species (69%), Nemacheilidae (3 species, 10.3%), Salmonidae (2 species, 6.9%) followed by, Siluridae, Poeciliidae, Percidae and Gobiidae each with only one species (3.45 %). This basin comprises five endemic species to the basin itself (only found in Urmia basin, 17.24%) and 11 exotic species (37.93%). Zarrineh River had high species diversity and Sufi and Shahri Rivers had low species diversity. The fish composition and community structure of Urmia basin have been changed during the last few years due to (i) human-induced disturbance or anthropogenic activities including hydrological alteration, introduction of exotic species, over-fishing, unusual methods of fishing, rapid sedimentation, and land erosion and (ii) natural disturbance such as climate change which causes drought in this basin. Most of the native (including endemic) fishes of the Urmia basin have not been assessed for the IUCN Red List and some others have been considered as Least Concern or Data Deficient which is suggested to be re-assessed.

The present experiment was undertaken to study the effect of different dosages of β-glucan on the growth, survival and physiological responses in juvenile striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus). Over nine weeks of feeding fish with a diet containing 0, 0.5, 1 and 2% β-Glucan (as control, G1, G2 and G3 group, respectively), some blood parameters such as serum lysozyme activity, total protein and glucose values as well as fish survival rate and growth performance were determined. No significant differences were observed either in the growth and survival indexes or in the glucose value in fish fed with and/or without different ratios of β-glucan. However, highest serum lysozyme activity was detected in fish fed on a diet containing 0.5% of β-glucan (10.8 µg/ml serum vs 8.00 µg/ml serum, in control group). In addition, the protein content was significantly increased in all β-glucan treatments compared to control. Thus, the administration of β-glucan might be beneficial for health enhancement in striped catfish juveniles.

This study provides a new and updated checklist of the freshwater fishes of the Persis region which drains to the Persian Gulf. The list is based on historical literature records and taxon occurrence data obtained from natural history collections and new fish collections. The confirmed freshwater fishes of the Persis region (sub-basin) comprise 44 species in 34 genera, 14 families, 11 orders and one class. The most diverse order is the Cypriniformes with 23 confirmed species (52.25%) followed by Cyprinodontiformes (6 species, 13.65%), Mugiliformes (4 species, 9.1%), Gobiiformes (3 species, 6.8%) and Perciformes with 2 species (4.55%). Acipenseriformes, Clupeiformes, Gonorynchiformes, Siluriformes, Salmoniformes and Synbranchiformescomprise only one species (2.25%). New species have been discovered, some subspecies have been elevated to species, some are being resurrected from synonymy and some taxonomic problems remain and are commented on briefly. Eleven endemic species (25%) in seven genera and four families and 10 exotic species (22.7%) in 8 genera and 3 families are listed here. The fish taxa were classified into different major groups based on the fish ichthyogeographical origin, ecoregion and ecological factors (tolerance to salt water and mode of life). The long history of connection and isolation from fresh and marine waters, multiple sources of species, uneven distribution of inflows and nutrient inputs, and the low to moderate ranges of salinity, different types of habitat (both fresh and brackish water habitats including rivers, lakes, lagoons, marshes, and marine environments), have all contributed to the high ichthyodiversity of the Persis region. It is proposed that the current isolated river systems of the Persis, Zohreh, Tigris and Kor River basins were interconnected during the Last Glacial Maximum of the Late Pleistocene (21,000–18,000 y. BP) and remained so until the sea-level rise of the Early Holocene (11,000 y. BP.). The predicted geographic distributions for the eight species of this region based on current bioclimatic variables revealed that a relatively large area of suitable climate for these native species in the Persis basin extend to western parts of Iran.

Production of new hybrids is important for growing aquaculture and protecting wild stocks of fish species. A hybrid between female Asp × male Kutum (Leuciscus aspius ♀ × Rutilus frisii ♂) was produced and its growth performance was monitored in two rearing systems for 55 days. The fish held in earthen ponds exhibited higher performance compared to those held in concrete tanks. The results also showed that larger rearing facilities beside the presented live feed in the earthen ponds can provide better environment and condition for production of the first step of culturing this hybrid fish.