The effect of the annual cycle on the body composition of common carp cyprinus carpio

Abstract

A total of 150 male and female common carps Cyprinus carpio were taken from Al‐Habbaniyah fish cages. Sampling was done monthly during the period from June 1986 until May 1987. Samples were dried and analysed chemically for the determination of protein and lipid contents of muscle (carcase), liver, and gonads of each fish.

The study showed increase in the lipid contents of the carcase, liver and gonads during the pre‐spawning period (winter and spring months) of energy reserve accumulation. On the other hand, protein contents of the carcase and liver showed decrease at that time as a result of their utilization for energy production and gonad maturation. The increase in the protein contents of the ripening gonads seemed to be achieved at the expense of body protein.