• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.603-614
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• 2022

This study investigated the characteristics of fish communities in the Bangtaecheon Stream in Korea from April to October 2020. The survey collected 4,640 fish of 26 species in 9 families from 11 survey stations. The dominant and subdominant species were Rhynchocypris kumgangensis(relative abundance at 31.5%) and Zacco koreanus(27.8%), respectively. The next most abundant species were Ladislavia taczanowskii(15.9%), Pungtungia herzi(4.0%), Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis(3.7%), Microphysogobio longidorsalis(2.4%), and Zacco platypus(2.3%). Among the collected fish species, 17 (65.4%) were Korean endemic species, 4 (15.4%), including Acheilognathus signifer, Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa, Gobiobotia brevibarba, and B. l. tsinlingensis,were class II endangered wildlife as designated by the Ministry of Environment, and 1 species, Hemibarbus mylodon, was a natural monument. Moreover, two landlocked species (B. l. tsinlingensisand C. koreanus) were also collected. Additionally, four cold-water species (R. kumgangensis, L. taczanowskii, B. l. tsinlingensis,and Cottus koreanus) were collected, and all of them mainly inhabited the upper and middle streams. Fish community analysis showed a tendency for dominance and uniformity to decrease and abundance and diversity to increase from upstream to downstream and that the community structure was divided into upstream and downstream groups. The river health was rated as excellent (9 stations) and good (2 stations). Compared to the previous studies, three species (Carassius auratus, Leiocassis ussuriensis,and Siniperca scherzeri) appeared in the past but did not appear in this survey, and three species (Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis, Microphysogobio yaluensis,and Orthrias nudus) that did not appear in the past appeared in this survey. Bangtaecheon Steam is well-preserved, and climate-sensitive species, endangered wildlife, and natural monuments inhabit the stream. Therefore, continuous attention and systematic conservation measures are required.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.151-162
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• 2023

This study investigated the characteristics of fish communities and inhabiting status of the endangered species, Rhodeus pseudosericeus, in the Geumdang Stream in Korea from March to October 2021. A total of 1,698 fish in 5 families and 25 species were collected from 7 survey stations during the survey period. The dominant species was Zacco platypus (relative abundance, 46.5%), and the subdominant species was Squalidus gracilis majimae (16.7%), followed by Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (12.0%), Z. koreanus (5.7%), Pungtungia herzi (3.2%), R. pseudosericeus (2.0%), R. notatus (1.9%), and Acheilognathus rhombeus (1.8%). Nine Korean endemic species (36.0%) were collected, including R. pseudosericeus, R. uyekii, Sarcocheilichthys variegatus wakiyae, Microphysogobio yaluensis, S. gracilis majimae, Z. koreanus, Cobitis nalbanti, Iksookimia koreensis, and Odontobutis interrupta. An exotic species, Micropterus salmoides, designated as an invasive alien species (IAS), was collected downstream. The investigation of the habitat patterns of the endangered species (class II), Rhodeus pseudosericeus, showed a habitat range of about 6 to 7 km in the middle of Geumdang Stream (RP-1 to RP-4), and this species inhabited the edge with water depths of 0.3 through 1.0 m with slow water flow and many aquatic plants. According to the community analysis results, the overall dominance and evenness indexes were low, while diversity and richness indexes were high, and the cluster structure was largely divided into upstream and middle-downstream areas. The river health (fish assessment index) evaluated using fish was assessed as good (3 stations), normal (3 stations), and bad (1 station), and water quality was evaluated as good both upstream and downstream. Compared to previous studies, the number of species was relatively similar, and among the species that appeared in the past, 13 species did not appear in this survey, while 6 species appeared for the first time in this survey. Disturbance factors included river construction, many weirs, and the appearance of the ecosystem-disturbing species, M. salmoides. Since Geumdang Strem has high conservation value because it is home to many species in the Acheilognathinae subfamily, including the endangered species R. pseudosericeus, continuous attention and systematic conservation measures are required.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.71-80
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• 2016

The fauna of freshwater fish and water chemistry characteristics were investigated from June, 2014 to October, 2014 at 10 sites in Taebaeksan Provincial Park. A total of 7 species under three families were collected from the survey sites and among them one endangered species - Koreocobitis naktongensis - was identified. The endemic species of Korea were 2 species: Koreocobitis naktongensis, Iksookimia koreensis. Dominant species was Rhynchocypris oxycephalus(89%) and subdominant species was Orthrias nudus(8.9%). Water quality including conductivity, turbidity, pH and total dissolved solids(TDS) varied largely depending on the sampling locations. Values of ambient conductivity and TDS were greater in the upstream than in the downstream, and seasonal variabilities were also higher in the upstream. The pH decreased towards the downstream, and especially showed a sharp decrease in S5. This phenomenon was evident due to a dilution by the influx in the acid mine drainage(AMD) of S4. Physical habit conditions, based on qualitative habitat evaluation index(QHEI) model, indicated a "Sub-optimal" condition(mean: 157.3; range: 78 ~ 194) in the Sodo stream watersheds.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.616-624
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• 2008

The ichthyofauna and ecological community analysis in the Dong River, Korea, were investigated from May, 2006 to May, 2007. During the surveyed period, 31 species belonging 9 families were collected. Total of 31 species(primary freshwater: 26 species, peripheral freshwater: 5 species) were found with the primary freshwater fishes being highest. Dominant species was Zacco koreanus(55.73%), and subdominant species was Coreoleuciscus splendidus(7.15%). Also, Microphysogobio longidorsalis (6.12%), Hemibarbus mylodon(4.87%), Iksookimia koreensis(4.49%) were numerous. There were 19 Korean endemic species(61.29%), including Acheilognathus signifer, A. yamatsutae, Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpus, C. splendidus, Squalidus gracilis majimae, H. mylodon. Among them, 1 species was identified as qualifying for possible designation as a natural monument catergory, and 5 species were identified for designation required to protect under a wildlife category. As result of expected number of species according to rarefaction curve, the expected species of the Dong-river ranged from 19(51. 4, 5) to 22(51. 3) and result of similarity analysis ranged from 62.28%(51. 1 and 2) to 84.13%(51. 1 and 5). In conclusions, we could define that the Dong-river has a very good water conditions as habitat of fish, and habitat conditions also are very similar in every survey sites.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.402-412
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• 2020

This study aims to examine the population characteristics of the fish and the bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), designated as ecologically disturbing fish, living in four water dams in the Ulsan area and to provide basic data. The survey of fish living in 4 water dams and surrounding tributaries in the Ulsan area from 2016 to 2017 found a total of 1,987 individuals of 28 species of 9 families and identified 6 Korea's endemic species is (21.4% indigenous rate), 4 exotic species, and 2 ecosystem disturbing species. Based on the number of fishes identified, the dominant species was Lepomis macrochirus, and the subdominant species was Hemiculter eigenmanni. The investigation of the age structure of the L. macrochirus found in the 4 water dams in the Ulsan area showed a large population of 1 to 2 old, and the population was growing fast. Moreover, the analysis of the total length-weight relationship and obesity of the L. macrochirus population showed that the regression coefficient b of the total length-weight relationship was greater than 3.0, and the habitat of the L. macrochirus population was in good condition. Obesity had a positive slope, and the growth state was relatively good. The result of this study can be used as useful data to predict the trend of the L. macrochirus fauna inhabiting in 4 water dams in the Ulsan area.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.369-374
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• 2009

The stumpy bullhead (Pseudobagrus brevicorpus) endemic to Korea is one of critically endangered freshwater fish species. To provide baseline data for its captive breeding and reintroduction we investigated basal characteristics on its growth and sexual maturation in an artificial rearing environment. After 698-day rearing the stumpy bullhead grew up to $89.22{\pm}10.29\;mm$ in total length (TL) and $70.93{\pm}7.68\;g$ in total body weight (BW)($BW=5\times10^{-5}\;TL^{2.678}$; $R^2=0.995$), and showed survival rate of 74.2%. The sex ratio was 1 (471 females) : 1 (473 males), and males ($TL=87.44{\pm}1.07mm$; $BW=8.43{\pm}0.31\;g$) showed significantly faster growth than females ($TL=78.38{\pm}0.92mm$; $BW=6.38{\pm}0.20\;g$) after 663-day rearing. However, condition factor of females was significantly higher than that of males (P<0.05). The number of eggs per female ranged from 508 to 867 (average 734), and their diameters ranged from 0.04 to 1.65 mm. The females which reared about two years in the laboratory condition was able to spawn in the early June after 1~2 days of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) injection. The number of hatched fries ranged from 113 to 338 (average 216).

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.424-431
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• 2014

Analysis of the fish community in Yeongwol Hanbando wetland in Korea was investigated from April to October 2012. During the survey period, total 33 species belonged to 10 families and 7,107 individuals. There were 18 Korean endemic species (52.94 %), including to Acheilognathus signifer. Also, the dominant species were Zacco koreanus at St. 1, 2, 3 & 5, as well Acheilognathus signifer at St. 6, and Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpus at St. 7, respectively, and these species were inhabited in the midstream. But at St. 4, Carassius auratus was dominance, so there appeared to characteristics of downstream or lentic habitat. Also, according to the similarity analysis on fish species and their individuals in each sites, they were divided into three major groups (A,B and C). Among them, group C (St. 4) showed the special inverse characteristics as a stagnant pond. unlike the river branch (group A) and anthropogenic disturbances receiving stream point (group B), Therefore, the ecosystem of Yeongwol Hanbando wetland is considered to very unique and these characteristics are not found in other stream ecosystems and it is confidently believed that the ecological value is very high.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.87-97
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• 1998

The freshwater fish fauna and distribution were investigated in Kojedo from 1982 to 1997. The collected fishes were classified into twenty four species of ten families. Dominant species was Zacco temmincki (relative abundance: 18.1%) and subdominant species was Rhinogobius brunneus (16.4%). Also Iksookimia longicorpus (12.3%), Oryzias latipes (7.5%), Chaenogobius urotaenia (7.5%) and Carassius auratus (6.9%) were numerous. The endemic species of Korea were six species (25.0%) and endangered species were C. splendidus, S. microdorsalis and C. kawamebari. In this study, species diversity index was high at Yoncho stream, dominance index at Aju and Oaepo stream and evenness index at Oaepo stream in community structure. There was a tendency of fish distribution in Kojedo that more longer the stream and more larger the water volume were, there were more species and more individual numbers. It was considered that the dominance of upper and middle reach dwelling fishes resulted in the dominance of Aa type stream mainly. Liobagrus mediadiposalis and L. mediadiposalis ssp. 1 showed different distribution pattern in Kojedo : that is, the former inhabited in east-northern part but the latter in south-western part separately. And the importance of this distribution pattern was discussed in relation to paleogeography.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.261-266
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• 2017

Microphysogobio koreensis is an endemic Korean freshwater fish that is protected as an endangered fish by the Ministry of Environment in Korea. In this study, we attempted to investigate the spawning period and spawning characteristics of M. koreensis to obtain basic information for its conservation. Though natural and histological observation, the spawning season occurred between April and May, with peak spawning occurred in early May when the water temperature was $20{\sim}23^{\circ}C$. During the spawning season, males had a bright-orange body and a thick red horizontal line from the rear of the operculum to the caudal peduncle, along with a lateral line, while females had a dark brown body. Nuptial organ had not appeared. The number of eggs in the ovaries was 10,705~22,165 ($15,573{\pm}4,274$). The number and appearance ratio of mature eggs were 1,100~5,920 ($3,383{\pm}2,126$) and 10.3~44.8% ($22.4{\pm}15.6$), respectively. And the size of mature eggs was 0.60~1.00 mm ($0.74{\pm}0.06$).

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.552-563
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• 2015

The characteristics of ichthyofauna and fish community in Lake Goesan were examined from April 2010 to October 2012. During the survey period thirty six species belonging to 11 families were collected. Dominant species by number were Hemibarbus labeo (29.9%) and Zacco platypus (20.0%). In biomass, the dominant species were H. labeo (37.2%) and Carassius auratus (17.9%). Also, fourteen Korean endemic fish species (38.9%) and one endangered species (Acheilognathus signifer) were collected. Further, one catadromous species was observed for stock enhancement (Anguilla japonica), in addition to two land-locked anadromous species (Hypomesus nipponensis, Plecoglossus altivelis) and three exotic species (Cyprinus carpio (Israeli type), C. cuvieri, Micropterus salmoides). According to the length-weight relation of C. auratus and M. salmoides, the b values were 3.13~2.99, 3.11~2.99, showing a declining tendency annually. However, for H. labeo and Z. platypus, the b values were 2.98~3.07, 3.06~3.23 respectively, showing an increasing trend. The slope values for C. auratus and M. salmoides population conditions were controlled by K factor showing a tendency to decrease, but H. labeo and Z. platypus were showing a tendency to gradually increase.