A case of catching Vimba vimba (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pisces: Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae) in the Black Sea coastal zone near the coasts of Caucasus

The article provides the main morphological and biological characteristics of Vimba vimba female, caught in October 2016 in the coastal zone of the Black Sea not far from the village Lazarevskoe near the mouth of the Kuapse River. The total fish length was 16,1 cm, the body mass - 41,6 g, age - 3+, gonad was at an early III stage of development. It had a good physical condition. The abdomen was filled with fat; the degree of viscera obesity was 4 points out of 5. The earlier cases of V. vimba detection in the Black sea were known only in the areas with demineralized (mesohaline) water - in the north-west area and near the Kerch Strait. The article describes the first case when the fish of this species was caught in the typical polyhaline water area. It is suggested that some individuals in the populations of V. vimba leading freshwater lifestyle and living in the Black Sea rivers of North-West Caucasus preserved the ability to roll into the sea. Potentially such fish can move along the Black sea coastal zone from one river to another providing the exchange of genetic material between populations isolated in different watercourses.