The Natural Food Base of Nursery Ponds and the Diet of the Common Carp Fry in Iraq | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries | ||
| Article 56, Volume 29, Issue 1, January and February 2025, Pages 1023-1046 PDF (541.35 K) | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2025.407763 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Hasan Al-Hilali; Alexander Lozovskiy; Mohamed Al-Khshali | ||
| Abstract | ||
| This study examined the indigenous food sources found in nursery ponds and their influence on the diet of young carp (Cyprinus carpio). The study was conducted across a single growing season and specifically investigated the quantity and makeup of phytoplankton and zooplankton in ponds that were previously fertilized. Additionally, the study investigated the way carp fry utilized these organisms. During the study period, notable fluctuations were recorded in the density and biomass of phytoplankton, specifically Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, and Euglenophyceae. The population dynamics of zooplankton, primarily consisting of Rotatoria, Copepoda, and Cladocera, exhibited significant variations. The results indicated that both phytoplankton and zooplankton played a crucial role in the early phases of carp fry growth. The fry mostly fed on rotifers, cladocerans, and various algae species. The nutritional composition and availability of plankton in the ponds were significantly affected by water temperature and fertilization techniques, which played a role in the overall productivity of the ponds. The study asserts that ensuring a well-balanced and diverse plankton population through suitable fertilization is crucial for maximizing the growth and survival of carp fry in nursery ponds. This study offers significant findings regarding inherent feeding behaviors of young carp and highlights the significance of effectively managing natural food sources to improve produce in aquaculture. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Carp fry; Cyprinus carpio; Nursery ponds; Phytoplankton; Zooplankton; Aquaculture productivity | ||
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