Accepted 14^th February 2020

S. Ould Rouis, H. Mansouri, A. Ould Rouis, H. Fergani and A. Arab

Department of Ecology and Environment, Laboratory of Dynamic and Biodiversity (LADYBIO), Faculty of Biological Sciences (FSB), University of Sciences and Technology HouariBoumediene (USTHB) BP 32, El Alia Bab-Ezzouar 16111 Algiers, Algeria.


 The objective of the present study was to identify the differences between the population structure and the biometric relationships of the cyprinid Barbus callensis Valenciennes, 1842, living in different freshwater systems: El Harrach wadi located about 12 km east of Algiers and Hamiz dam situated 35 km from Algiers. We conducted sampling monthly from March to June 2013. In both freshwater systems, we collected two hundred and thirty-one individuals of B. callensis. For each individual, the total standard lengths and the total weight were measured using an electronic scale. The results showed isometric growth for both barbels living in the wild and living in an artificial environment. Here, we provide new finding regarding maximum size recorded in B. callensis: in our sampling, the heaviest fish caught in the dam was a female weighing 904 g corresponding to a total length of 43.5 cm. This recorded size exceeds that published (30.0 cm) by Fishbase. This comparative growth of B. callensis in different hydrosystems is new in Algeria and interesting information about this species is given: males, females and juveniles are present in the river as well as in the dam. Furthermore, we point out that barbels have isometric growth in natural and artificial environment.

Key words: Invasive species, El Harrach wadi, North Africa, condition factor, juveniles, vulnerable habitats, Hamiz dam.