• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2023

The feeding ecology of the eight barbel loach, Lefua costata, were investigated in the Jusucheon (Stream), Namyang-ri, Okgye-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, Korea from January to December 2013. L. costata mainly fed from March to December when the water temperature was higher than 5℃, and the feeding rate peaked in April~May and September~October. Their main food organisms analyzed by the index of relative importance (IRI) were Diptera (77.1%), Ephemeroptera (20.3%), Trichoptera (1.7%) and Odonata (0.4%) in Insecta. Other food organisms were various, such as Arhynchobdellida (0.6%) and Tubificida (0.1%) of Annelida, Nematoda (0.2%), fish (Actinopterygii, 0.1%), and Veneroida (0.01%) of the Mollusca. Major seasonal food organisms were Diptera (55.4%) and Ephemeroptera (41.6%) in spring, Diptera (92.7%) and Anelida (6.8%) in summer, Diptera (70.8%), Ephemeroptera (9.0%), Trichoptera (8.1%) and Annelida (7.7%) in autumn. By age, juvenile (0+) tended to eat only Diptera (mainly Chironomidae, 98.2%) that were relatively small in prey size. However, as it grew, the proportion of Diptera gradually decreased, and the proportion of relatively large Mayflies and Annelids increased. The size of the prey organisms showed rapid growth, with 2.5±1.05 mm for juvenile (0+), 3.2±1.29 mm for one year (1+), 3.7±2.05 mm for two years (2+), and 6.8±4.97 mm for three years or more (≥3+).

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.285-293
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• 2021

This study was conducted to elucidate spawning period characteristics and early life development of eight barbel loach, Lefua costata (Balitoridae) at the Jusucheon stream, Okgye-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, Korea between January and December in 2018. The spawning period was estimated to be from May to August, considering the change in the gonad-somatic index, the appearance of young fry, and frequency distribution in egg diameter. It was a multi-spawning type. The gender ratio was 1:0.79 with 1,117 females and 879 males collected. The egg size was 0.24-0.93 mm, with mature and immature eggs found during the spawning period. The size of mature eggs was 0.71±0.02 mm, and the average number of fecundity was 1,786±818 (n=31). Observation of the egg development showed that the fertilized eggs were the sticky, gray, segregated, and demersal type with 0.76±0.03 mm in diameter. The hatching of the embryos began at about 34 hours (hatching rate 50%) after fertilization underwater temperature of 25℃. The average length of the newly hatched pre-larvae was 2.7±0.11 mm. The average length of pre-larvae at 4 days after hatching was 4.5±0.16 mm, and the yolk sac was completely absorbed and entered the post-larvae stage. At 20 days after hatching, the average length of post-larvae was 11.5±0.67 mm, and their fin rays were formed before they transitioned to the juvenile stage. At 100 days after hatching, the average length reached 49.8±2.60 mm, and the appearance and the lateral sideband patterns were similar to those of the adult fish.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.160-171
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• 2022

This study investigated the characteristics of fish communities, habitat characteristics and the age of Lefua costata in the Jusucheon of Gangneung-si, Korea from January to December 2013. The survey collected 23 species belonging to ten families from 6 survey stations. The dominant and subdominant species were Zacco koreanus (relative abundance, 22.1%) and Rhynchocypris steindachneri (20.1%), respectively. The next most abundant species were Tridentiger brevispinis (10.7%), Orthrias nudus (9.7%), Zacco platypus (8.6%), Lefua costata (7.9%), Iksookimia koreensis (6.0%) and Pungitius sinensis (3.0%). Among the fish species collected, one species, P. sinensis, was class II endangered wildlife by the Ministry of Environment, and four species (Z. koreanus, I. koreensis, Silurus microdorsalis and Cottus koreanus), were endemic to Korea. Additionally, five migration fish species (Tribolodon hakonensis, Hypomesus nipponensis, Gasterosteus aculeatus, Oncorhynchus keta and Plecoglossus altivelis) were collected. The similarity index based on species composition and numbers separated fish communites in the Jusucheon according to main section, i.e., uppermost(St. 1), upper (St. 2~4), middle (St. 5), lower (St. 6). Ecosystem health of Jusucheon Stream (fish assessement index) evaluated using fish was assessed as very good (5 stations) and good (1 station). The main inhabit of L. costata was the middle-lower stream of aquatic plants habitats with mud bottoms, very slow water velocity and water depth 40~80 cm. The age groups for L. costata (female) estimated by the frequency distribution of total length in the spawning season (May) indicated that the 24~37 mm is 1-year old, the 38~51 mm group is 2-year old, the 52~63 mm is 3-year old, 64~77 mm is 4-year old and the 80~91 mm is more than 5-year old. Finally, characteristics of fish communities, habitat characteristics and the age of Lefua costata in the Jusucheon was discussed.