Studies of some morphological and biochemical parameters concerning the health condition of some fish species from Prut River, Romania

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the biometric and biochemical indices collected from seven fish species belonging on the two families, namely: Cyprinidae (Squalius cephalus, Alburnus alburnus, Carassius gibelio) and Percidae (Perca fluviatilis) from the Prut River. Body measurements and weighting were used to determine the increase in length of the fishes and to evaluate the general physiological condition. Also, the oxidative stress status in white muscle was assessed using superoxide-dismutase, glutathione-peroxidase, catalase and peroxidase specific activities along with malondialdehyde level. Biochemical parameters register variations one species to another and the values of the main morphological indices indicate a good maintenance state for all fish species taken into study (e.g. profile index oscillates between 2.34±0.124 cm at Carassius gibelio and 3.948±0.089 cm at Alburnus alburnus; Fulton coefficient between 0.998±0.035 % at Alburnus alburnus and 2.118±0.098 % at Perca fluviatilis; fleshy index between 18.44±0.958 % at Alburnus alburnus and 29.464±4.464 % at Perca fluviatilis). Taken together, our results showed that the Prut River aquatic environment offers good conditions for maintenance and health of studied fish population.