Dynamics of Fish Larvae in the Han River Estuary and Kyunggi Bay, Korea

Species composition and abundance of fish larvae were studied from May 1988 through August 1989 in the Han River Estuary and adjacent Kyunggi Bay, Korea. Of 23 taxa identified, Coilia nasus, llisha elongata, and Cyprinidae spp. were dominated. Maximum density (3,5771/1,000m)$^3$ occurred in August 1988 and minimum (3/1,m$^3$) in February 1989. O1igo- ormesohaline species dominated during ebb tides while polyhaline species during flood tides. Correspondence analysis revealed that three distinctive species groups; oligohaline species, Coilia nasus, Ilisha elongata and Cyprinidae spp., which dominated at both channels of Kwanghwa Island (stations 1, 2), mesohaline species, Sardinella zunasi and Gobiidae spp., at the mouth of Yeomha Channel (station 3), and polyhaline species, Engraulis japonicus and Syngnathus schlegeli, in the middle of Kyunggi Bay (station 4). Coilia nasus was the most abundant species and reported first time in the study area. Given the species composition and density of fish larvae, the Han River Estuary is considered to be a major spawning and nursery ground for brackish water species such as Coilia nasus, Ilisha elongata and some Cyprinidae spp.