Investigation on feeding habit of common carp, Cyprinus carpio, in Anzali Wetland and its relationship to maturity status in spawning season

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to determine the feeding habit of common carp, Cyprinus carpio, during spawning season. 655 specimens were sampled o in Anzali wetland using electroshocker, monthly from October 2015 to March. Vacuity index was 29.3 and 25.7% in females and males, respectively, showed variations in different seasons and age-groups. The intensity of fullness was 73.2±64.4 and 73.5±66.5 in females and males, respectively, and 104.7±60.4, 81.0±52.1 and 88.0±71.5 in prespawner, spawner and postspawner adults, respectively The intensity of fullness showed no significant differences between males and females, among age-groups (P>0.05), and different spawning groups, but it was not significantly different among seasons (P<0.05). . The frequency of presence for detritus and plant materials were determined 31% and 12 %, respectively. 34 taxa of animals were observed in lower than 10 % of fish, but, the frequency of presence for Tubificidae Chironomidae and Prawn Macrobrachium nipponense was 61%, 36% and 17 %, respectively. According to our results, common carp keep feeding in all months and spawning season, thus this feeding behavior must be considered in its culture and management of spawners feeding.

Keywords

• feeding habits
• spawning
• anzali wetland