Study systems

Freshwater fishes

Freshwater fishes are our favourite animals. We study variation in species composition and various aspects of fish biology, including physiology, diet, metal bioaccumulation, microbes, and parasites. For community-scale studies, we utilize our comprehensive datasets covering all fish species in streams of north-eastern Spain. At the species level, our research is focused on the mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki.

Examples of published works: 

Maceda-Veiga, 2013 Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries; Maceda-Veiga et al., 2014 Freshwater Biology; Maceda-Veiga et al., 2017 Science of the Total Environment; Colin et al., 2018 Science of the Total Environment; Maceda-Veiga et al., 2019 International Journal of Parasitology.

Fish food-web partners

To get a holistic understanding of how freshwater ecosystems function, our research extends beyond fish to include other key organisms in freshwater food-webs. This includes animals that are abundant in the presence of fish, as well as those that thrive in fish absence, particularly the larvae of medically relevant insects such as mosquitoes.

Examples of published works: 

Maceda-Veiga et al., 2013 Hydrobiologia; Colin et al., 2016 Science of the Total Environment; Colin et al., 2016 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety; Maceda-Veiga et al., 2017 Biological Conservation; Maceda-Veiga et al., 2022 Water Research.

Riparian and aquatic vegetation

Although we are not plant biologists, we study vegetation due to its critical ecological role as habitat-forming species for aquatic animals and as natural water-treatment systems. Our research focuses on the interaction between animals and plants, such as the giant reed Arundo donax, the submerged plants Ceratophyllum demersum or Egeria densa, and different species of riparian tree species, including Alnus glutinosa.

Examples of published works: 

Maceda-Veiga et al., 2016 Biological Invasions; Maceda-Veiga et al., 2018 Water Research; Albacete et al., 2020 Forest Ecology and Management; Maceda-Veiga et al., 2025 Science of the Total Environment; Cano-Rocabayera et al., 2026 Neobiota. 

Aquarium hobby

Drawing on over two decades of experience as a professional aquarist, I am applying aquarist knowledge to develop nature-inspired solutions for aquatic habitat restoration and to gain insights into the functioning of food webs through experimental research. Recognizing the potential of the aquarium trade as a source of invasive species, I am also using aquarist expertise to improve management practices in the pet trade. 

Examples of published works: 

Maceda-Veiga et al., 2013 Biological Invasions; Maceda-Veiga & Cable, 2014 Bulletin of the European Association of Fish Pathologists; Maceda-Veiga, 2016 Fish and Fisheries; Maceda-Veiga & Cable, 2018 Diseases of Aquatic Organisms; Maceda-Veiga et al., 2019 Biological Invasions.