Iraqi Journal of Aquaculture

Surveying of 144 literature concerning occurrence of the copepod parasites of the genus Ergasilus parasitizing fishes of Iraq, indicated that there are 11 identified species of Ergasilus von Nordmann, 1832 as well as some unidentified species of this genus infecting 38 fish species. The infections were distributed in fishes from Tigris, Euphrates and Shatt Al-Arab rivers and some of their tributaries, as well as in some lakes, marshes, drainage networks, many fish ponds and floating cages in different parts of Iraq, in addition to marine waters of the Arab Gulf. Among the infected fishes, the mugilid fish Planiliza subviridis was infected with the highest number of Ergasilus species (eight species), followed by Carasobarbus luteus, Cyprinus carpio, Leuciscus vorax and Planiliza abu (seven parasite species each), while seven fish species were infected with only one Ergasilus species each. Among Ergasilus species, E. sieboldi was infecting a total of 25 different fish species, while each of E. iraquensis, E. lizae and E. synanceiensis were detected from one fish host species.

Wastewater samples were collected from the sewage treatment plant in Azdinawiya region, south of Al-Nasiriyah city. Barbus luteus fish, weighing 1.15 kg, sampled from the Euphrates River in the Suq Al-Shuyoukh district. Zn, Cd, Cu, and Pb were measured by Flam Automatic Absorption. A powder was made of fish scales. The scales were ground after cleaning. The scales were passed by three types of sieves (250µm, 1mm and 2.36 mm). Test the fish scale powder's capacity to absorb trace elements from sewage water, 50 g of the powder was placed in a burette, and its capacity was tested five times (zero time, 12 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, and 96 hours). The results showed that highest removal of Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb according to time after (72 hours 91.946 %, 72 hours at 76.19 %,12 hours at 84.360%, and 72 hours at 58.788 % respectively), while the lowest removal of Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb according to time after (48 hours at 81.879 %, 48 hours at 26.19 %, 48 hours at 54.502 % and Zero time at 39.394 % respectively) and there were significant differences between all-time categories at p. value < 0.05%. Fish scales absorb trace elements from wastewater.

The current experiment was conducted in earthen ponds at the Agricultural Research Station belonging to the Aquaculture Unit- Agriculture College at Basrah University, Al-Hartha District about 16 km northern-east of Basrah Governorate (30o39`20.264"N, 47o 44`51.533"E) from 25th July to 23rd October 2021. The feeding experiment begin after ten days of fish acclimation. Six small earthen ponds (600 m2) were used for the current experiment to investigate the differences in growth criteria for 200 individuals of common carp fed (2 T1, 3 T2 and 4 T3) % of total fish weight. Fishes were fed daily on commercial pellets manufactured by Agricultural Consultant Office belonging to Agriculture College. The total length and weight of fish were measured at the beginning and the end of the experiment, while subsamples of fish were weighed periodically and daily food changed after each weighing. Initial fish weights were 530.0± 132.7, 513.4±118.3 and 477.3±122.5 for T1, T2 and T3 respectively. Daily feed was divided into three meals, the first given early in the morning, the second at mid-day and the third given in the afternoon. Results of current experiments showed a high growth rate (FW= 1341.4 g, WI= 873.0 g, DGR=9.59 g/day and SGR=1.16 %/day) for fish fed on 4% feeding ratio compared with the two feeding ratios. Feed conversion rates were 2.46, 4.01 and 3.28 for T1, T2 and T3 respectively. Statistical analysis showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) between values of b with value 3 (Isometric pattern of growth) of common carp before and after the experiment. Statistical analysis of three models for condition factor proved that there were significant differences (P≤0.05) between the values before the experiment with values after the experiment, while there were no significant differences (P>0.05) after the experiment between different condition factors for common carp reared on different feeding ratio.

Water extract of large mosquito fern Azolla filiculoides used as antibacterial material (as eco-friendly material) against some pathogenic bacteria for common carp Cyprinus carpio. The bacteria represent with Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Staphyllococcus aureus. The results shown that the application of 100% of the stock solution gave better inhibition against the bacteria growth in vitro (25.7, 26.35 and 28.7mm in B. cereus, E. coli and S. aureus, respectively in comparison with other concentrations of water extract of A. filiculoides (25, 50, and 75%). The current encourage results as an inhibition mater against studied bacteria may be applied as alternative eco-friendly material instead of chemical materials to control present and other bacteria pathogenic to fishes.

Monitoring water quality is absolutely essential for formulating policies that affect public and environmental health. The study samples were collected during the period from autumn 2021 to summer 2022, The study show the environmental deterioration of Al-Ashar canal compared with Shatt Al-Arab estuary. including some physical parameters: air and water temperature, which had the highest values in station 2 during July and reached 38.9 and 29 C°, respectively while salinity concentrations recorded a high at station 1. achieved (8.8) g/L. Turbidity and total suspended matter concentrations increased at station 3, achieving 106 NTU and 100 mg/L, respectively. Also the chemical and biological parameters in Al-Ashar Canal were very poor compared to the Shatt Al-Arab, including: pH, whose values were in the basal direction, and the highest values were recorded in station 3, achieving 8.89 Also, there was an increase in the values of the biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand, achieving 2400 and 590 mg/L at stations 2 and 3 respectively. While a decrease was recorded in the dissolved oxygen values in station 3, which amounted to 0.13 mg /L, nutrients (〖PO〗_4 , 〖NO〗_2 and 〖NO〗_3 ) increased at station 3,2,2. achieving 1.79, 17.982 and 15.51 µg/L, respectively. Also, the values of chlorophyll A increased at station 2 and reached 215.72 µg/L. The aimed of the study is determined the water quality of Al-Ashar canal and compared with Shatt Al-Arab.

Reviewing literature concerning the occurrence of the causative agent of the white spot disease; Ichthyophthirius multifiliis as well as unidentified Ichthyophthirius species, infecting the skin, fins and gills of fishes in Iraq until the end of 2022, showed that 40 fish species are so far known as hosts for I. multifiliis and five fish species for Ichthyophthirius spp. The infected fishes were distributed in different localities of rivers of Iraq, their branches, some lakes, depressions, marshes, drainage networks, fish hatcheries and fish farms in addition to some fishes from fish markets and fish aquaria. These fishes included 24 endemic freshwater fishes, seven exotic freshwater fishes, one marine fish and seven aquarium fishes in addition to one unspecified aquarium fish species.

Reviewing literature concerning the occurrence of the causative agent of the white spot disease; Ichthyophthirius multifiliis as well as unidentified Ichthyophthirius species, infecting the skin, fins and gills of fishes in Iraq until the end of 2022, showed that 40 fish species are so far known as hosts for I. multifiliis and five fish species for Ichthyophthirius spp. The infected fishes were distributed in different localities of rivers of Iraq, their branches, some lakes, depressions, marshes, drainage networks, fish hatcheries and fish farms in addition to some fishes from fish markets and fish aquaria. These fishes included 24 endemic freshwater fishes, seven exotic freshwater fishes, one marine fish and seven aquarium fishes in addition to one unspecified aquarium fish species.