GONADAL DEVELOPMENT AND SPAWNING OF Barbus sharpei, Barbus luteus AND Mugil hishni IN FRESH AND SALTWATER LAKES OF IRAQ

P. Epler; M. Sokołowska-Mikołajczyk; W. Popek; K. Bieniarz; D.E. Kime; R. Bartel

P. Epler
M. Sokołowska-Mikołajczyk
W. Popek
K. Bieniarz
D.E. Kime
R. Bartel

Keywords: GONADAL DEVELOPMENT, FECUNDITY, WATER SALINITY, Barbus luteus, Barbus sharpei, Mugil hishni

Abstract

The annual cycle of gonadal development and fecundity of Barbus sharpei (buni), Barbus luteus (himri) and Mugil hishni (hishni) in the freshwater lakes Tharthar and Habbaniya (salinity 0.2–1.8‰) and the saltwater Lake Razzaza (salinity 12–13‰) were investigated. In fish from the saltwater of Razzaza the annual cycle of ovarian development was accelerated by two months in comparison with fish living in freshwater. High percentage of mature oocytes was found in the ovaries of buni, twice during February and April and in himri between March and June. The fecundity of buni and hishni was significantly lower in saltwater than in freshwater. Since the species investigated had similar condition coefficients, feeding spectra, digestive tract filling coefficients and growth rates in both salt and freshwater, it is suggested that the changes in the sexual cycle were due to the increased salinity of the aquatic
environment.