Growth and Condition of Vimba Bream Vimba vimba ( L., 1758) (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae) from Commercial Fisheries in the Danube River near Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract

Vimba bream individuals (n = 157), obtained from commercial catches in 2016 and 2017 near Belgrade, were analysed to obtain information on growth and condition of this species. The total body length of sampled fish ranged from 248 to 440 mm, while the body weight ranged from 139 to 889 g. Five age classes (from 4+ to 8+) were present in the sample, with predominance of individuals aged 6+. Back-calculated annual length growth was the highest in the first year of life. The total body length defined according to the parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth curve could be calculated at any given time t using Lt = 75.07 × (1-e-0.06 ×(t+1.73)), and the length-weight relationship – using LogW = 0.010 + 3.02 × logTL. The asymptotic standard body length was SL∞ = 63.86 cm and the phi-prime growth performance index was φ’ = 2.53. The highest mean values of Fulton’s condition factor were observed in spring of 2016, followed by spring of 2017, and in individuals aged 7+. The seasonal and age-related differences in condition were statistically significant. The lack of data, the degree of endangerment in some European countries, the status of important species for the river continuity restoration and commercial exploitation of this species, emphasise the need for future research.