Cold Freshwater Exhibit

Europe is characterised by an abundance of rivers, lakes and swamps. River ecosystems are richest in species within the temperate climate zone due to their natural connectivity and habitat diversity, while lakes and other still waters affect the quality and the quantity of water. European freshwater habitats are inhabited by 250 species of algae and over 500 species of fish. Croatia is one of the areas with the highest diversity of freshwater organisms in Europe. In our exhibit, you can discover regional species: the European carp, the northern pike, the sterlet, as well as non-regional species: the eastern mosquitofish, the Prussian carp and the pumpkinseed.

European carp

Cyprinus carpio Linné, 1758.

This is a freshwater species with four whiskers on its head, and like all carp species (Cypriniformes), it has teeth in its pharynx. ⓘ

Northern pike

Esox lucius Linné, 1758.

The northern pike has a slender body with a characteristically flat head. It lives in still and sluggish streams, and in just a few weeks, it can grow by 8 cm. ⓘ

Sterlet

Acipenser ruthenus Linnaeus, 1758.

It is the smallest species from the sturgeon (Acipenseridae) family, which can grow up to 125 cm. ⓘ

Eastern mosquitofish

Gambusia holbrooki Girard, 1859

The eastern mosquitofish used to be imported into many parts of the world as a means to control the mosquito population and effectively combat malaria. ⓘ

Prussian carp

Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782)

It is an invasive freshwater species which can tolerate lower concentrations of oxygen and high pollution of the aquatic environment. ⓘ

Pumpkinseed

Lepomis gibbosus (Linnaeus, 1758)

When there is a lack of natural predators, the pumpkinseed spreads unimpededly, reaches sexual maturity early and reproduces often. Those features make the pumpkinseed one of the most dangerous invasive species of freshwater habitats. ⓘ