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Ribogospod. nauka Ukr., 2026; 1(75): 80-97
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61976/fsu2026.01.080
UDC [597.551.2:591.531.1]:597-113.4(282.247.325.8)

Received: 24.01.2026
Received in revised form: 07.03.2026
Published: 31.03.2026

Dynamics of linear growth of bighead and silver carps (Hypophthalmichthys sp.) in the Kremenchuk Reservoir

O. Timchenko, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0009-0009-8398-9515, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv
M. Leuskyi, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0000-0001-5646-8524, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv

Purpose. An analysis of the linear growth of the main object of artificial propagation of ichthyofauna in the Kremenchuk Reservoir – silver and bighead carps as an integral characteristic of the conditions for the formation and exploitation of their commercial stocks.

Methodology. Field materials were collected in 2023–2024 in the middle and lower parts of the Kremenchuk Reservoir. We analyzed individuals of silver and bighead carps caught with commercial gill nets with a mesh size of a=38–140 mm. Field materials collected by employees of the Department of Study of Reservoirs’ Bioresources of the Institute of Fisheries of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine at the Kremenchuk Reservoir in 2010–2021 were also used. A total of 255 scale samples were processed. Scale analysis was performed using a binocular microscope with measurement of scale radii and annual rings with an accuracy of 0.01 mm.

Findings. The average relative annual growth rate and instantaneous growth rate of silver and bighead carps significantly decreased with age (F = 59.4 and F = 112.6, p < 0.001, respectively). The main decrease in growth rates occured in the age-1 to age-6 groups. At the same time, a noticeable increase in the coefficient of variation was noted in older age groups. The average growth rate for modal age groups in the commercial stocks of silver and bighead carps of the Kremenchuk reservoir for the period 2023–2024 was 0.137, which was fully consistent with the data obtained for other reservoirs. In the interannual aspect, the linear growth was characterized by certain differences (without a general stable trend), however, the observed changes were statistically significant only for certain age classes. Correlation analysis showed the absence of statistically significant relationships between initial length and abundance, as well as growth rates of middle and older age groups of silver and bighead carps in the Kremenchuk Reservoir. Modeling of silver and bighead carps growth using the parameters of the Bertalanffy equation for the period 2005–2024 showed the following range of values: K= 0.131–0.195 (year-1), L∞ = 102.1–117.9 (cm), t0 = 0.351–1.118 (year). The growth curve of silver and bighead carps indicates that the age of entry into the commercial stock is 5–5+.

Originality. For the first time, a comparative analysis of data on the linear growth of silver and bighead carps over a 20-year period was conducted in the Kremenchuk Reservoir. 

Practical Value. Data obtained for long-term forecasting of fish return rate from stocking silver and bighead carp into large reservoirs, which are based on natural mortality rates.

Keywords: Kremenchuk Reservoir, silver and bighead carps, standard length, growth modeling.

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