Seasonal Variations in the Natural Food of Golden Fish Carassius auratus in the Euphrates River at Al-musayab City – Babylon/ Iraq

Abstract

The natural food of golden fish Carassius auratus L.were studied in the Euphrates River at Al-Musayab city during the period from 2/1/2014 to 31/12/2014. The foregut contents of 295 fish were examined depending on Importance Relative Index (IRI%). In winter, the results showed that insects came firstly with 19.8%, followed by non-diagnosed digested food (16.7%). Detritus came firstly in spring by 41% followed by aquatic plants (18 %), in summer, detritus also consisted of the food in the first rank 28.21% followed by non-diagnosed digested food 23.87%. In autumn detritus also came firstly in 32.1% followed by non-diagnosed digested food 16.9%. The results indicated that the higher feeding intensity was recorded in spring 30.55 points/fish, while the lowest was 17.69 in autumn. This fish was more active to feed in spring (95.65%) while the least in winter (88.46%). It was concluded from the current study that the fish was omnivorous.