Leuciscus Vorax Research Articles

THE DIET AND FEEDING HABITS OF LEUCISCUS VORAX FISH IN THE MAIN OUTFALL DRAIN MIDDLE IRAQ

A total of 58 Leuciscus vorax samples were collected from the Main Outfall Drain, inside the borders of the central Iraqi province of Al-Qadisiyah, throughout the extended period from the beginning of January to the end of December 2022. Several traditional fishing methods were adopted. The results indicated that the males ratio were 44.83% (26 individuals) of the total number, while the females were 55.17% (32 individuals), with the total gender ratio that was 1:1.23. Results indicated that the highest food activity was observed from August to November. The lowest was in February and December, at a level of 75. It was noted that the highest level of feed density was in October (14.71) and the lowest was in December (11). Fish ranked first in the overall importance of nutrients for L. vorax species during the study phases, with 52.97% for fish less than 20 cm long and 95.93% for individuals longer than 20 cm. The study concluded that L. vorax was predatory in its feeding behavior, with variations in food items consumed depending on the length of the fish.

Study of Some Environmental and Reproductive Aspects of Some Fish Species in the Tigris River West of the City of Samarra, Salah Al-Din / Iraq

The study was conducted on the Tigris River in the Qalaa area, west of the city of Samarra, Salah al-Din/Iraq, for the period between October 2023 and March 2024, 117 fish were caught, with one catch per month. It has been observed that the higher sex ratio tends to favor females in Carasobarbus luteus, Luciobarbus xanthopterus, Carassius auratus, Leuciscus vorax, and Cyprinus carpio with ratios of 7.0:1, 5.0:1, 4.6:1, 3.5:1 and 3.0:1 respectively, while the lower percentage tends to favor females in Acantho brama marmid, C. macrostomum and Chondrostoma regium in the ratio of 1.8:1, 1.5:1 and 1.19:1, respectively. show the monthly changes in gonad (G.S.I) function for male and female fish (Chondrostoma regium, Carassius auratus and Carasobarbus luteus), (Acantho brama marmid, Leuciscus vorax and Luciobarbus Xanthopterus) and (C. macrostomum and Cyprinus carpio) respectively. The water temperature ranged between 10 and 22°C. The highest water temperature was in October and the lowest in February. The highest value of dissolved oxygen was 8.4 mg/L in March and the lowest value of dissolved oxygen was 6.5 mg/L in October. The highest turbidity value was 49 NTU 1 in December, and the lowest value 39.5 NTU was recorded in February.

Investigating of Protozoa Parasites in Some Fish Species in Tigris River-Salah Al-Din Governorate

The currently study was achieved from February 2021 to end January 2022 in order to investigate the external and intestinal parasites in some fish species of Tigris River passing Tikrit city. During the period of this study, 580 fish were collected that belonged to 8 species including Acanthobrama marmid, Alburnus sellal, Chondrostoma regium, Cyprinion kais, Cyprinius carpio, Leuciscus vorax, Mystus pelusius, and Planiliza abu. Also, it involves 6 species of protozoa as following: Eimeria sinensis, Apiosoma megamicronucleate, Chilodonella cyprinid, Trichodina domerguei, Trichodina elegini and Trichodina heterodentata.

Isolation and Diagnosis of the Myxozoa Parasitizing in some Fish Species in Tigris River at Salah Al-Din Governorate, Iraq

The currently study was achieved from February 2021 to end January 2022 to investigate the external and intestinal parasites in some fish species of Tigris river passing Tikrit city. During the period of this study, 580 fish were collected that belonged to seven families and 16 species. These fish are represented 45 Acanthobrama marmid, 40 Alburnus sellal, 30 Arabibarbus grypus, 65 Carasobarbus luteus, 55 Chondrostoma regium, 60 Cyprinion kais, 60 Cyprinius carpio, 50 Leuciscus vorax, 21 Luciobarbus xanthopterus, 14 Squalius Lepidus, 13 Mystus pelusius, 10 Silurus triostegus, 10 Heterropneutes fossilis, 12 Mastacembelus mastacemblus, 30 Coptodon zilli and 65 Planiliza abu. This study diagnosis 12 species of Myxoblus: M. bouixi, M. bramae, M. branchiophilus, M. cyprinicola, M. dispar, M. ellipsoides, M. infundibulatus, M. koi, M. magnus, M. molnari, M. musculi, and M. shaerica.

Study of the Level of Lead and Zinc in Five Species of Fish in Tigris River

The research was carried out in the Tigris River, specifically in two distinct areas, namely Tikrit and Samarra within the Salah al-Din province, during the period of May 1, 2022, to January 9, 2021. The selection of these two stations was made with the intention of collecting fish samples for the purpose of assessing the presence of heavy element contamination in the fish population. This study was conducted at the laboratories of the Department of Food Sciences in the College of Agriculture, and the Department of Chemical Engineering in the College of Engineering at the University of Tikrit. The objective of the study was to assess the extent of heavy metal contamination, specifically lead and zinc, in various parts of fish including meat, liver, gills, and intestines. The study focused on five species of fish commonly found in the Tigris River, namely Zori, Nile tilapia, Aspius vorax, Silurus triostegus, and Carrasobarbus luteus. Additionally, the study encompassed two regions, Tikrit and Samarra, located in Salah al-Din province. The bi-interaction recorded a significant difference in the lead element, the highest value of which was (5.14 PPM) in the Nile tilapia muscles, and the lowest value (0.001 PPM) in the Nile tilapia gills, where the bi-interaction between the type of fish and the location was not recorded in the zinc element in the Samarra location, it reached the highest level The zinc element in the average of the sample type was (37.17 PPM) in the liver of the studied fish, and the lowest value was (8.82 PPM) in the intestines of the studied fish.

Detection of Blood Parasites in Fish

Fish are often infected with different blood protozoa of the genera Babesiosoma, Trypanosoma, and Hemogrigarina. These blood parasites match the genera which infect the blood of mammals. A total of 120 samples from five different fish species (Barbus grypus, Barbus sharpyi, Liza abu, Carasobarbus luteus, and Aspius vorax) were collected from the Khazar River in Ninevah Governorate, Iraq at weekly intervals during the period from April 2022 to October 2022 for the detection of blood parasites and hematological analysis. Thin and thick Giemsa stained blood smears revealed significant infection with Trypanosoma, Babes iosoma, and Haemogregarina which were recorded in 32%, 16%, and 8% of Carasobarbus luteus samples, respectively; 30%, 15%, and 10% of B. sharpyi samples, respectively; and 23.3%, 16.7%, and 6.7% of B. grypus samples, respectively. No infection with Trypanosoma or Babesiosoma were recorded in L. Abu, and no infection with Babesiosoma or Haemogregarina were recorded in A. vorax. Hematological parameters of blood samples from infected fish showed a significant decrease in hemoglobin concentration, total red blood cells, and stacked cell size along with a significant increase in the number of inflammatory cells including lymphocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. This is the first study to identify blood parasites in fishes and to monitor the changes of hematological parameters in blood samples of infected fishes from the waters of Mosul, Iraq.

Sources and apportionment of aliphatic hydrocarbons in freshwater fish species from Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq

Aliphatic hydrocarbon n-alkanes, pristane (Pr), and phytane (Ph) were determined in the tissues of sixeconomic freshwater fish species (Luciobarbus xanthopterus, Ctenophyngodonidella, Cyprinus carpio, Tilapia zillii, Palanizaabu, and Leuciscus vorax) collected from the Shatt Al-Arab river. They were analyzed bycapillary gas chromatography - flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The carbon chain lengths of n-alkanesin the fish tissue samples ranged from nC13 to nC36. The highest concentration of the total n-alkanes wasdetected in the filter feeder P. abu tissue (23.14μg/g dry weight) and the lowest concentration was in theomnivorous C. carpio tissue (3.76 μg/g dry weight). The major sources of the n-alkanes, pristanes, andphytanes were from petroleum hydrocarbons based on the results of the molecular biomarker indices andthe ratios of CPI (carbon preference index), Pr/Ph, LMW/HMW (total nC13-C24/total nC25-nC36), nC17/Pr,and nC18/Ph. The percentage of n-alkanes from petroleum related-products ranged from 83.2% to 94.8%,whereas the natural biogenic sources were in the order of bacterial (3.7-11.7%) > higher plant wax (0.0-9.1%) > algal (0.1-1.2%) sources. The occasion of high fractions of n-alkanes and isoprenoids from petroleumhydrocarbons in these fish tissues indicated that the foster habitats were highly contaminated by crude oil.Further studies are required to investigate the bioaccumulation of other anthropogenic contaminants suchas plasticizers, pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons fresh-water organisms.

Descriptive and comparative osteology of five cyprinid fishes from Southern Iraq

Descriptive and comparison osteology was conducted in the present research for five species of cyprinid fishes during the period from June to September 2016 of some paired head bones for premaxilla, maxilla, lower Jaw and opercular. A total of 111 specimens were collected by electrofishing from Huwaza and Chybiyesh marshes Southern Iraq include: Carasobarbus luteus, Carassius gibelio, Cyprinus carpio, Leuciscus vorax and Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi. Results showed the significant differences (P<0.05) among bones of species which were described and compared in both intergeneric and interspecific. Statistical analysis was done for all bones. Coefficient of determination (r2) showed a strength correlation of the linear association between standard length and length of premaxilla, maxilla, dentary, angloluarticular and opercular of L. vorax (0.973, 0.89, 0.976, 0.95 and 0.986) respectively. The present study revealed new information about the phylogeny of cyprinids by evident the differences among species in the shape and design of bones, which was rise to isolate it in different genera, but there was convergence in general shape to join it in one family

The Fish Fauna of the Atatürk Dam Lake (Adıyaman/Turkey)

This study was carried out between November 2013 and May 2015, to determine the fish fauna inhabited in the Atatürk Dam lake. The specimens were obtained by different technical fishing gears. It was determined that specimens caught were belonging to 25 species (Capoeta trutta, Capoeta umbla, Cyprinon macrostomus, Arabibarbus grypus, Carasobarbus luteus, Carassius carassius, Carassius gibelio, Cyprinus carpio, Garra variabilis, Luciobarbus esocinus, Luciobarbus mystaceus, Luciobarbus xanthopterus, Acanthobrama marmid, Alburnus mossulensis, Chondrostoma regium, Leuciscus vorax, Squalius cephalus, Cobitis elazigensis, Mystus pelusius, Silurus glanis, Silurus triostegus, Glyptothorax kurdistanicus, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Mastacembelus mastacembelus, Planiliza abu) and 8 families (Cyprinidae, Cobitidae, Bagridae, Siluridae, Sisoridae, Salmonidae, Mastacembelidae, Mugilidae) were identifed. The most dominant family in the Atatürk Dam Lake is the Cyprinidae with 17 species and eightteen species within 25 species that were identified have commercial value. The existence of Silurus glanis, Mystus pelusius and Carassius carassius was determined for the first time in Atatürk Dam Lake and they are new records for the lake.

Fisheries and stock assessment of shilig, Leuciscus vorax Heckel, 1843 in East Hammar marsh, Southern Iraq

The fisheries and stock assessment of shilig Leuciscus vorax (Aspius vorax) the in East Hammar marsh, which is the first study to assess this species in southern Iraq. A total of 5751 specimens was collected by several fishing gears for a period of January in 2009 until May in 2010. Total lengths of L. vorax were ranged from 3.7 to 55.6 cm was as total length. The species constituted 6.4% from the total catch by seine net and the catch rate ranged from 0.84 kg/hr in May 2009 to 3.33 kg/hr in January 2010 and rate 2.01 kg/hr. The length-weight relationship obtained was W= 0.0068 x L3.0425. The fish stock was assessed by lengths, frequency technique using FiSAT program. Growth, mortality parameters and exploitation rate estimated were: L∞= 65.1 cm, K= 0.22, Z= 0.96, M= 0.5, F= 0.46, E= 0.48, E0.1= 0.411 and Emax= 0.52. Recruitment pattern of the species exhibited single pulse modal contributed 45% of the total recruits for the period April-September with a peak during June-August. The mature individuals of L. vorax were exposed to fishing before the spawning season in Eastern Al-Hammar marsh, because the value Lc (18.3 cm) is lower than Lm (21.5 cm). Therefore, this study suggests increasing the mesh size and regulating the fishing effort.

Study of haemoflagellates Trypanosoma sp. infection in some fish of Iraq marshes and relationship of leukocytes with inflammatory response

Fresh water fishes infected with different species of genus Trypanosoma parasite that is similar to that same genus in blood of mammals. Trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness disease that causes by protozoa flagellate parasites which live inside cell called Trypanosoma. Fish parasites play an important role in regulating the population of their hosts. This study was implemented to verify the infection with Trypanosoma sp. report the cellular intervening through inflammatory response in blood smears of infected fishes. A total of 190 fishes of three species Carasobarbus luteus, Aspius vorax and Liza abu were collected from Al-Hamare and Al-Chibayish marsh south of Iraq. The flagellate parasite Trypanosoma sp. observed in blood of Carasobarbus luteus 41.42% and Aspius vorax 12.28% fishes, while no infection was recorded with Trypanosoma sp. in Liza abu fishes. Prevalence and mean intensity of infection were calculated. The different counts and various types of inflammatory cells were monitored, there are increased in lymphocytes in the infected fishes. Statistically, there are significant differences (p<0.05) among species of infected fish with Trypanosoma sp.

Three new species of Neoechinorhynchus (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) from fresh-water fish collected from Tigris River, Iraq.

Three new species of Neoechinorhynchus are described from freshwater fish of Tigris River, at Salah Al-Din province, mid Iraq, namely Neoechinorhynchus tigrisensis n. sp. from Shilik Leuciscus vorax (Heckel) and Brond-snout Chondrostoma regium (Heckel), N. planilizai n. sp. from Abu mullet Planiliza abu (Heckel) and Tigris catfish Silurus triostegus (Heckel) and N. barbi n. sp. from Mesopotamian barb Capoeta damascina (Valenciennes). The first two new species shared the para-receptacle structure (PRS) with seven nominal valid species of the genus Neoechinorhynchus but they differed in other taxonomic traits, while the third new species shared the vaginal vestibular muscles (para vaginal patch) at the end of female trunk with N. spiramuscularis Amin, Heckmann & Ha, 2014 and N. zabensis Amin, Abdullah & Mhaisen, 2003 but differed for further morphological features. Proboscis hooks of middle and posterior circles in N. barbi n. sp. are remarkably bigger than in the other two new species (N. tigrisensis and N. planilizai) while the hooks in first circle is almost similar in the three species. Furthermore, N. tigrisensis n. sp. and N. planilizai n. sp. differ from some marine species by having smallest hooks size at anterior circle, with different shape and size of hooks. The three new species reported in the present study are compared with other eight species of Neoechinorhynchus reported so far from fish in Iraq. This work contributes to increase the knowledge on the biodiversity of fish parasites all over the world, especially for acanthocephalans.

Spatial distribution, partitioning, ecological risk and source apportionment of potential toxic elements in water and sediments of the Hoor Al-Azim wetland and their bioaccumulation in selected commercial fish species

The potentially toxic elements (PTEs) concentrations in water and sediments were measured in the Hoor Al-Azim wetland to evaluate the spatial distribution, pollution rate, fate, partitioning, and ecological risk and also to recognize the PTEs sources in sediments using MLR-APCs (multiple linear regression-absolute principal component scores) receptor model. The human health risk was investigated based on the seven fish species consumed in the study area. Based on the results, water and sediment contamination was observed at some stations in the southern part of the wetland where agricultural water drains. Also, the sediments of oil well drilling disposal site was polluted by PTEs. Based on the MLR-APCs model, 80.8% of Mo and 81.5% of Se originated from agricultural source. Total target hazard quotients (TTHQ) values suggested that the children could experience adverse health effects due to consumption of Coptodon zillii, Aspius vorax, Carassius auratus and Carasobarbus luteus.

CHEMICAL AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF TEN ECOMONICALLY IMPORTANT FISH SPECIES IN THE SATT AL- ARAB RIVER AND IRAQI MARINE WATER NORTHERN WEST ARABIAN GULF

This study was aimed to determine and compared the chemical composition and some of the main minerals of ten economically important fish species from the Shatt Al-Arab River; Leuciscus vorax. Cyprinus carpio. Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. Ctenopharyngodon idella and Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi. And Iraqi coastal water to the NorthernWast Arabian gulf; Acanthopagrus arabicus. Otoliths ruber. Mugil cephlus. Tenualosa ilisha and Pampus argenteus. Moisture ranged from 65.65±1.81 % to 77.94±0.799 %. Protein from 15.81±0.893 to 19.44±0.418 %. Fat from 0.974±0.049 to 6.461±0.489 %. Ash from 0.886±0.03 % to 2.127±0.279 percent and caloric value was ranged from 116.173±2.7645 to 215.26±11.3828 kcal/100g. Main minerals; calcium. Potassium. Phosphorus and Iron ranged from 15.98 to 93.49. 53.34 to 839.92. 249.36 to 686.61and 0.52 to 11.92 mg ∕100g of the fish muscle. Respectively. M. cephlus was the highest in contents of calcium and potassium. While C. carpio was highest in phosphorous and Iron. Mineral elements as the following sequence K &gt; P &gt; Ca &gt; Fe. Muscle tissues. The results showed that fishes from Shatt Al-Arab and Iraqi marine waters provide a strong supply of protein. Lipid and metals. These results can be used as useful references for consumers in order to choose fish based on their quality and nutritional contents.

Survey of Fish Fauna from Five Stations in Duhok Province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

A survey of fish species was carried out from five stations in Duhok province during the period from August 2016 to September 2017. A total of 517 freshwater fishes, belong to 19 species, namely: Acanthobrama marmid, Arabibarbus grypus, Capoeta damascina, C. trutta, Carasobarbus luteus, Carassius carassius, Chondrostoma regium, Cyprinion kais, C. macrostomum, Cyprinus carpio, Garra rufa, Leuciscus vorax, Luciobarbus barbulus, L. esocinus, L. xanthopterus, Mastacembelus mastacembelus, Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi, Planiliza abu and Silurus triostegus were recorded. The survey showed that the abundant fish at all five stations was C. carassius which is one of the nuisance fish species while the little abundance was recorded for C. luteus.

Myxosporeans (Phylum Myxozoa) Parasitic on Some Fishes from Hamrin Lake in Diyala Province, Iraq

Between January and December 2019, a total of 368 fish specimens were collected from Hamrin lake in Diyala province, Iraq. These fishes belonged to 16 species: Acanthobrama marmid, Alburnus caeruleus, A. sellal, Arabibarbus grypus, Carasobarbus luteus, Carassius auratus, Chondrostoma regium, Cyprinion kais, C. macrostomum, Cyprinus carpio, Garra rufa, Leuciscus vorax, Luciobarbus xanthopterus, Mastacembelus mastacembelus, Mystus pelusius and Planiliza abu. The result of inspection showed that these fishes were infected with 25 species of parasites belonging to the class Myxosporea. These included one species each of Chloromyxum and Unicauda, two species each of Myxidium and Thelohanellus and 19 species of Myxobolus. Among these parasites, Myxobolus pfeifferi infected the highest number of hosts (ten host species), followed by M. drjagini and M. oviformis (nine host species each), while five parasite species infected one host species each. Among these fishes, C. luteus was infected with the highest number of parasite species (18 species), followed by C. carpio (13 species). Myxobolus. hemibarbi was recorded in the present study for the first time in Iraq. The description and measurements of this parasite is presented. In addition, a total of 35 new host records in Iraq were reported for 18 species of these parasites.

The current status of inland fisheries in Basrah province, Iraq

The current status of species composition, total catch, fishing effort and their landing trends in six fish landing locations in the inland waters of Basrah province, Iraq from 2017 to 2019 were assessed. A total of 15 species in 5 families were recognized in the inland fisheries. The maximum total catch was 2061.5 t in 2019, whereas 1740.7 t in 2017 and 1804.2 t in 2018. The total catches show a clear increasing trend from 2017 to 2019. Cyprinus carpio dominated the overall catch (29.2%), followed by Planiliza abu (16.2%) and tilapias (15.4%). There are positive trends in the catches of all species, except P. abu and Luciobarbus xanthopterus. The highest trends were for Leuciscus vorax and Carasobarbus luteus. The overall values of biomass diversity of each species ranged from 2.10 in 2017 to 2.01 in 2018, whereas 2.11 in 2019. About 75% of the fishing boats (2140 boats) was without engine propelled by paddles in the lengths of 3.5 to 5.0 m. The study suggests some management measures must be put into place include the enforce fish regulations in the Basrah inland fisheries, in particular, preventing illegal fishing methods, and increasing fish production by releasing fingerlings of cyprinid species to preserve them and protect them from extinction and overfishing.

Systematics and Distribution of Freshwater Icthyofauna in Babylon Province

Several studies have been carried out on the classification of freshwater fish (Icthyofauna) in all of Iraq or in the Tigris and Euphrates basin. The current study consisted of (82 specimens) were collected from three different regions within Babylon Province for seven months. Taxonomic status of specimens were studied depending on morphometric traits (biometrics), then preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol. Surveyed area included three main sites in Babylon province, which is located in the center of Iraq. The diagnostic results showed that the collected fish samples related to five families, nine genera, and twelve species, as following: Family cyprinidae (Aspius vorax, Barbus barbulus, B. luteus, B. xanthopterus, B. grypus, Carassius auratus, Cyprinus carpio); family Bagridae (Mystus pelusius); family Siluridae (Silurus triostegus); family Mugilidae (Planiliza) (Liza abu) and (L. subviridis); family Cichlidae (Tilapia zilli).

A study on age, growth, reproduction, and diet of Leuciscus vorax (Heckel, 1843) in Al-Diwaniya River, middle of Iraq

A study on age, growth, reproduction, and diet of Leuciscus vorax (Heckel, 1843) in Al-Diwaniya River, middle of Iraq

A study on age, growth, reproduction, and diet of Leuciscus vorax (Heckel, 1843) in Al-Diwaniya River, middle of Iraq

In this study, age, growth, sex ratio, size at first sexual maturity, gonad development (GSI) and food habit of Leuciscus vorax (Heckel, 1843) in Al-Diwaniya River, middle of Iraq were described between November 2016 and October 2017. L. vorax constituted about 6.4% % of the fish assemblage. The total length of all individuals ranged from 10.2 to 55.5 cm, the length-weight relationship was calculated as W= 0.007L 3.035 and isometric growth was observed. The mean value of the relative condition factor was 0.98. von Bertalanffy growth parameters were L∞= 61.0 cm, K= 0.227 and t0= -0.196 years. The growth performance index (Φ) was found to be 2.93. The overall male to female ratio was 1:1.51. Length at maturity was 29 cm for males and 31 cm for females. The maximum gonado-somatic index was in January then dropped dramatically for both sex, suggest that the species may spawn in February. The feeding intensity and feeding activity were low during winter and high during summer. The species is a carnivore fed mainly on fish, shrimps, aquatic insects, and crustacean. In conclusion, it is found that the population of L. vorax reflects the expected and previously observed features of the species in natural waters, but it is necessary to activate the national law of fishing, exploiting and protecting aquatic resources to continuation the fish populations in the river as an economic resource.