“Porţile de Fier/Iron Gates” Gorges Area (Danube) Fish Fauna

An important fisheries sector of the Danube, the “Iron Gates” area, was studied by famous naturalists along the history like Marsigli, Haeckel, Kner, Antipa and Bănărescu. After more than half a century after the last main publication in this area, the “Iron Gates” Danube sector suffered significant human impact, and an assessment of the fish fauna was needed. The paper summarizes the trend of fish species along the XIX to XXIst centuries, and reveals the appearance of new species. The study includes data from about 65 fish species, belonging to: Acipenseridae, Polyodontidae, Clupeidae, Salmonidae, Esocidae, Cyprinidae, Cobitidae, Siluridae, Ictaluridae, Anguillidae, Lotidae, Gasterosteidae, Syngnathidae, Centrarchidae, Percidae, Gobiidae, Odontobutidae, and Cottidae. The major hidrotechnical works along with pollution, overexploitation and poachery, induced major changes in the ichthyofauna structure.