Journal of Wetland Ecobiology
Inland Waters Aquaculture Research Center
Abstract: (6 Views)
Tehran’s Chitgar Lake, the largest artificial lake in Iran, was primarily developed for recreational and economic purposes. To mitigate rising eutrophication, fish stocking programs were implemented to improve water quality. This study evaluates the abundance and population dynamics of stocked species based on sampling data collected between 2014 and 2024 using gillnets (15–70 mm mesh size). Among the 17 species identified, the community was dominated by economically significant stocked cyprinids—specifically Common carp (Cyprinus carpio), Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), Bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)—alongside Northern Pike (Esox Lucius) and non-commercial species such as Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio), Sharpbelly, and North Caucasian bleak (Alburnus hohenackeri). CPUE analysis revealed significant variation, with Silver and Common carp exhibiting the highest catch rates. Growth analysis using the von Bertalanffy model indicated that only Common carp demonstrated superior growth, reaching an average weight of 13,625 ± 2,934 g after 11 years. For the studied cyprinids, the growth coefficient (K) was consistently below 0.2/year, while the natural mortality rate (M) ranged from 0.14 to 0.21. An M/K ratio approximating 1 suggests a balanced, albeit slow, growth and mortality regime. Given the absence of natural recruitment, the study concludes that a structured, ongoing program of stocking and controlled harvesting is essential to maintain the lake’s ecological health and water quality.
Article number: 3
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