Vol. 75 (4) 2023

ARTICLES

First Report on Natural Reproduction of Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792) (Actinopterygii: Salmonidae) in Bulgaria

Stefan A. Kazakov*, Nina V. Vancheva & Luchezar Z. Pehlivanov

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*Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Street, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria;
E-mail: skazakov.iber@gmail.com

https://doi.org/10.71424/azb75.4.002723

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Abstract
The rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss is non-indigenous species for Europe, with numerous records for occurrence, spawning and self-sustaining populations across the continent. The species has been found in surface water bodies in Bulgaria but naturally-reproducing have not been yet detected. In 2020, 2021 and 2022, we observed spawning behaviour of mature fish in the Ogosta River, downstream of Ogosta Reservoir, north-western Bulgaria. In order to verify whether the rainbow trout reproduces naturally in Bulgaria, complete process of spawning was tracked. Through the winter-spring period of 2022, fish material was sampled from the trout redds and identified via DNA analysis. The results showed that rainbow trout reproduce successfully in the sampled river stretch. Vital specimens at stages of egg and fry development were found through the whole period, from February to April. The registered water temperature and recent flow management occurred as beneficial for the periods of rainbow trout spawning, egg development as well as fry emergence.

Key words
Salmonid fish, trout spawning, redd sampling, European tailwater fishery, alien species

How to Cite
Kazakov S.A., Vancheva N.V. & Pehlivanov L.Z. 2023. First Report on Natural Reproduction of Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792) (Actinopterygii: Salmonidae) in Bulgaria

. Acta zoologica bulgarica 75 (4) 505-511.

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