From July 16, 2026 to the present, employees of Scientific and Production Center of Fisheries LLP: head of the expeditionary detachment – S. Karlybayuly, scientific staff – B.S. Pangereev, R. Igilik, L.A. Zhdanko and laboratory assistant – N.B. Abishev. within the framework of program 021 (subprogram 100) and 267 PCF, they carry out summer complex scientific research works on reservoirs of the Alakolsky system of lakes (ASO).

• During the business trip, comprehensive scientific and research work is carried out on monitoring points, including the collection of ichthyological, hydrobiological and hydrochemical materials and samples, as well as conducting sonar surveys.
• During the period of scientific research in the reservoirs of the Alakol lake system (Alakol, Koshkarkol, Sasykkol), the chief specialist of the department of the Alakol fish inspection of Balkhash–Alakol inter-regional basin inspection of fisheries (BAMBIRH) Zhumagulov A.U. participates.
• Comprehensive research work will continue until August 2026.

During the research of the Alakol lake system (ASO) in the Katynsu River, 7 specimens of representatives of the genus Misgurnus were caught with the help of a juvenile travois. The body length (L) of the caught fish was 75.5–111.2 mm, body weight – 1.25–6.45 g. Representatives of the genus Misgurnus are alien (introduced) to this region and have not been previously observed in studies of the Alakol lake system.

The genus Misgurnus belongs to the Cobitidae family of the Cypriniformes order. Representatives of the genus are bottom-dwelling freshwater fish with an elongated cylindrical body and ten antennae around the mouth, which serve as organs of touch when searching for food. They live in rivers, lakes, ponds and other bodies of water with soft muddy soil, feed on benthic invertebrates and insect larvae. Representatives of the genus are highly resistant to lack of oxygen, capable of swallowing atmospheric air and burrowing into silt under adverse conditions. The natural range of the genus covers East Asia, but individual members of the genus have been introduced to various regions of the world.

The discovery of representatives of the genus Misgurnus in the Katynsu River indicates that their appearance may be related to both natural settlement from neighboring watercourses of the Lake Alakol basin and anthropogenic introduction, and requires further monitoring.