Black Sea Sprat
Clupeonella cultriventris (Nordmann, 1840)
Clupea cultriventris Nordmann, 1840: Drensky, 1923: 72, 1924: 57; Clupea delicatula Nordmann, 1840: Drensky, 1923: 72, 1924: 57; Clupeonella delicatula Nordmann, 1840: Drensky, 1951: 48; Stojanov et al., 1963: 49; Clupeonella delicatula cultriventris Nordmann, 1840: Drensky, 1948: 19, 1951: 49; Stojanov et al., 1963: 49.
Order Clupeiformes
Family Clupeidae
Conservation status: in Bulgaria: Endangered EN [B1b (ii, iv, v)].
General distribution. In the basins of the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Caspian Sea. The species has so far been recorded in Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Iran, Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the Ukraine.
Distribution and abundance in Bulgaria. In the past, the species was widely found along the entire Bulgarian coast and in many of the coastal lakes: Durankulak, Shabla, Varna, Beloslav, Burgas and Mandra [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. Recently, it has been recorded only in Shabla Lake [8], Varna Bay [9] and rarely in the Black Sea near Kavarna, Balchik, Varna, Burgas and Sozopol [10].
Habitats. Mainly in coastal lagoons. It is also found in sea shallows (up to 6 m depth, including sea bays), and rarely in the open sea.
Biology. A shoaling, eurihaline fish that lives and reproduces both in fresh and in saline waters with salinity less than 13‰. It reaches sexual maturity at the age of two years. Spawning occurs from April to June, at water temperature in the range between 8 and 24 °C and salinity from 0 to 8‰. Fecundity varies from 5 220 to 20 110 (10 620 at average) eggs. It feeds on zooplankton. The life span is 4 years [11].
Similar species. The European sprat (Sprattus sprattus), from which it differs by the enlarged last two anal fin rays and the lower number of scales along the sides of the body – 40-44.
Negative factors. Tourism and recreation development along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast which results in draining of marshes and pollution of lakes. A negative influence is also exerted by the competition of non-indigenous species.
Conservation measures taken. The species was listed in the Red Data Book of Bulgaria (1985) and the Red Book of the Black Sea (1999). One of the habitats where the species was recorded, is included within the Shabla Lake Protected Area.
Conservation measures needed. Preservation and restoration of the coastal wetlands. Control on observing fishing regulations in the Shabla Lake Protected Area.
References. 1. Drensky, 1923; 2. Drensky, 1924; 3. Drensky, 1948; 4. Drensky, 1951; 5. Stojanov et al., 1963; 6. Gheorghiev, 1967; 7. Karapetkova, Zivkov, 1995; 8. Vassilev, 1998; 9. Sivkov, 2003; 10. Sivkov, Sivkova, 2002; 11. Svetovidov, 1964.
Authors: Tihomir Stefanov, Teodora Trichkova
