Fish of Carnikava Municipality

The ichthyofauna (fish) of the Southern Gulf of Riga, which includes the coast of Carnikava Municipality, can change due to season, water temperature and zone of depth. The mouths of the Lielupe, Daugava and Gauja rivers allow many freshwater fish to migrate towards coastal-water feeding spots and traveling fish – to reach their spawn areas. 
In comparison to other seas, the Baltic Sea and especially the Gulf of Riga is characterized by a low level of biodiversity. Most fish found in the Baltic Sea are sea species that have adapted to low salinity (spawning in freshwater and living in the sea, or vice versa). Additionally, coastal waters are ample with freshwater fish. Since 1995, data from regular fish counts and haul statistics has been extensively collected, although research has mostly been focused on industrially fished species. 
The main inhabitants of the southern shore of the Gulf of Riga are the Baltic herring, sprat, Baltic flounder, turbot, eelpout (viviparous blenny), straight-nosed pipefish. Less frequent – the four-horned sculpin, bull-rout (short-spined scorpion) and whitefish. More shallow waters are frequented by the lesser sandeel, sand goby and common goby. Freshwater fish like perch, zander (pike perch), ruffe, roach, bream, silver bream and the three-spined stickleback, especially in the warm water season. Pike, goldfish (silver carp), bleak and dace can also occasionally be found there. The total number of fish species in the lower part of the Gauja is more than 40.