Free Courses Sale ends Soon, Get It Now


Diadromous fish

30th May, 2024

Diadromous fish

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement is not intended.

Context:

  • A study, published in the British Ecological Society’s Journal of Applied Ecology, found that MPAs designated to protect diadromous fish species did not align with their core habitats.

Diadromous Fish

  • The fish migrate between fresh and salt water. This term, coined by George S. Myers in 1949, refers to both anadromous and catadromous fishes. 
  • Diadromous life history strategies have evolved in numerous fish taxa.

Differences among catadromous, anadromous, and diadromous fish:

Feature

Diadromous Fish

Anadromous Fish

Catadromous Fish

Definition

Fish that migrate between freshwater and marine environments.

Fish that live in the ocean and breed in freshwater.

Fish that live in freshwater and breed in the ocean.

Examples

European eel, bull shark

Salmon, striped bass, sea lamprey

Europeaneel, American eel

Migration Direction

Both directions: freshwater to marine and marine to freshwater

Marine to freshwater only

Freshwater to marine only

Purpose of Migration

Feeding, breeding, and escaping harsh conditions

Primarily for breeding

Primarily for breeding

Life Cycle Stages

Utilize both freshwater and marine stages

Marine juvenile stage, migrate to freshwater to spawn

Freshwater juvenile stage, migrate to marine to spawn

Adaptation

Adapt to both saltwater and freshwater environments

Adapt specifically for spawning in freshwater

Adapt specifically for spawning in marine

Habitat Usage

Utilize different habitats throughout their life cycle

Spend most of life in marine habitats, migrate to freshwater for spawning

Spend most of life in freshwater habitats, migrate to marine for spawning

Similarities:

  • Both diadromous types (anadromous and catadromous) migrate between freshwater and marine environments.
  • Adapted to living in both types of water.
  • Important for maintaining ecological balance in their respective ecosystems.

Source:

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/fish-moving-between-marine-freshwater-ecosystems-have-designated-protected-areas-but-no-protection-in-them-study-96402

PRACTICED  QUESTION

Match the Following:

List I (Type of Fish):

  1. Catadromous Fish
  2. Anadromous Fish
  3. Diadromous Fish

List II (Characteristics):

A. Fish that migrate between freshwater and marine environments.
B. Fish that live in freshwater and breed in the ocean.
C. Fish that live in the ocean and breed in freshwater.

Options:

A)      1-C, 2-A, 3-B

B)      1-A, 2-B, 3-C

C)      1-B, 2-C, 3-A

D)      1-A, 2-C, 3-B

Answer: C: 1-B, 2-C, 3-A

Explanation:

  1. Catadromous Fish - B (Fish that live in freshwater and breed in the ocean)
  2. Anadromous Fish - C (Fish that live in the ocean and breed in freshwater)
  3. Diadromous Fish - A (Fish that migrate between freshwater and marine environments)