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Abstract

The morphological development and allometric growth patterns in European chub Leuciscus cephalus (L.) (cyprinid fish) were studied under intensive rearing conditions from hatch to day 30. Based on the external morphology, twelve different stages during the early development of chub were identified (ES8 b -JS1 a ; 6.68±0.20-20.84±2.15 mm TL).The obtained results revealed that the majority of all allometric changes from the inflection point occurred across a wide range of body lengths. The replacement of temporary organs (e.g. disappearance of finfold) at approximately 21 mm TL did not coincide with a full reduction of relative growth. This growth pattern probably reflects he absence of abrupt changes in the behaviour and habitat of young chubs.