Comparison of individual growth of two Japanese species of eight-barbel loaches: Lefua echigonia and Lefua sp.1

Abstract

Individual growth was compared between Lefua echigonia (Japanese name: hotoke-dojo) and Lefua sp.1 (Japanese name: nagare-hotoke-dojo), both endemic and endangered species in Japan, using an individual identification-recapture method from November 1999 to December 2000 in each habitat of the Kako River, Hyogo Prefecture. Individuals of Lefua echigonia showed more rapid growth than Lefua sp.1 when comparing individuals of same range in standard length at the start.