Reproductive Characteristics of Leuciscus vorax (Heckel, 1843) from Al-Huwaiza Marshes Southern Iraq

Abstract

A total of 114 (76 female and 38 male) specimens of Shelig Leuciscus vorax were monthly collected from Al-Huwaiza marsh southern Iraq from November 2016 to October 2017. The samples were caught utilizing gill net and electrofishing. The highest values of gonadosomatic index (GSI) were found in February (18.35 and 5.33 for female and male respectively). Only mature individuals of L. vorax female were used to estimate absolute-relative fecundity and measure eggs diameters of very ripe gonads. Absolute fecundity ranged from 77612 eggs at 56 cm in total length (1672 g) body weight to 378391 eggs 79.5 cm in total length and (5001 g) boy weight. Highly significant differences relationships were observed among to total length, body weight and reproductive parameters. The relative condition factor differs from 0.85±0.11 in October to 1.37±0.09 in June. The results showed one spawning peak on reproductive strategy of represented species, which is preceding other species of fish to enables the small fish of L. vorax feeding on larvae and other small fish species in assemblage.