Growth of the Skadar Chub Squalius platyceps Zupancic et al., 2010 (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae): A Comparative Study of the Populations in the Brestica Stream and the Upper Zeta River, Montenegro

The structure and growth of the autochthonous population of Squalius platyceps in the Brestica Stream and the allochthonous population of the same species in the Upper Zeta River were studied based on the examination of 232 specimens. The mean length was 15.7 +/- 5 cm in the Brestica Stream and 18.1 +/- 3.8 cm in the Upper Zeta River. The mean weight was 59.8 +/- 44.1 g in the Upper Zeta River and 61.7 +/- 55.6 g in the Brestica Stream. Juveniles (64 %) and the 3(+)-year age group (38 %) dominated the autochthonous population. The 2(+)-year age group (43 %) and juveniles (48.5 %) prevailed in the allochthonous population. The growth rate (a) was 0.22 in the Upper Zeta River and 0.33 in the Brestica Stream. Mean back calculated total lengths was from 6.3 +/- 1.6 cm to 17.1 +/- 3.2 cm in the Brestica Stream. In the Upper Zeta River, the mean back calculated total lengths ranged from 7.5 +/- 1.6 cm to 22.2 +/- 5.6 cm. The study contributes to ecological characterisation of S. platyceps in previously unstudied habitats and provides baseline data needed for the population management.