A total of 16 fish species have been identified in the Veleka River and its tributaries the Mladezhka River and the Aydere River. Three of the species are included in the Red Data Book of Bulgaria: Anguilla anguilla, Chalcalburnus chalcoides and Rutilus frisii. Mean abundance (N) and mean biomass (B) of fishes were as follows: 3093 ind. ha-1 and 68.19 kg ha-1 in the Veleka River, 1220 ind. ha-1 and 16.73 kg ha-1 in the Mladezhka River, and 1025 ind. ha-1 and 41.18 kg ha in the Aydere River. The values obtained were much lower than the values of N and B of fishes in nine other Bulgarian rivers. The main reasons for the low fish abundance and biomass in the Veleka River and its tributaries were the intensive development of tourist industry in the region and the intensive, practically uncontrolled commercial and sport fishing and poaching.
The record is confirmed of a “Clariobranchus” hybrid Clarias gariepinus × Heterobranchus sp. specimen in the River Danube in Croatia. Clarias gariepinus was introduced to Europe for farming and research purposes. Because of their faster growth and short time to achieve market size, “Clariobranchus” hybrids have gained attention in European aquaculture. To date, no record has been found in the literature of “Clariobranchus” hybrid escapees in inland waters of Europe. The present finding suggests that the “Clariobranchus” hybrid escaped from an unprotected aquaculture system or open pond farm. The threat of establishment of a population of this hybrid in suitable environments, such as thermal ponds, cannot be ruled out.