Habitat use by 0+ year old Hotoke loach, Lefua echigonia, near springs in the Kako River system, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

Habitat use by 0+ year old Hotoke loach, Lefua echigonia, was investigated between May 2014 and October 2015 near springs in the Kako River system, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. In May and June, individuals less than ca. 5 mm standard length, which were only a few days post hatching, occurred in essentially non-flowing puddles associated with the stream, spawning having most likely occurred in the former where the minimal water flow lowered the risk of being carried downstream. Subsequently, individuals which had remained in the puddles until reaching the benthic stage, migrated to the stream from July.