Study of the Ectoparasites of the Common Carp Cyprinus carpio Fish from Mosul Dam Lake in Nineveh Governorate, Iraq

Nowadays, carp, which is common in Iraq's inland rivers, is the main species raised in most fish farms.Being aware that parasites can harm carp populations, or significantly contribute to their extinction or a growth limitation causing aquacultures to suffer financial losses.This study examines the parasites of certain carp fish in Mosul Dam Lake in the Iraqi province of Nineveh.In the Nineveh governorate's Mosul Dam Lake, 70 common carp, Cyprinus carpio, were gathered situated northwest Mosul city one of the most important strategic projects in Iraq, by sellers and local fishermen, six try monthly during the period from April to August, 2023.Then following capture, carp fish were checked.Samples for parasite examination were taken from various areas of the host body surface, such as scales, fins, skin, gills, and eyes, and were then probed for ectoparasites.The infection rate was 40% (28/70), in the examination, eight parasite species were found, including: Four different protozoan species in the class Ciliata, Chilodonella cyprinid (21%), Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (7%), Tetrahymena pyriformis (8.5%), and Trichodina mutabilis (5.7%), two species of Monogenea trematode Dactylogyrus minutus (4%), and Paradiplozoon cyprini (2.9%) and two species of Crustacea Ergasilus mosulensis (4%), Copepodal stage of Lernae cyprinacea (4%).Among the cases parasites can hurt their hosts and damage parasite infestation, gill invasion, and harm internal organs and tissues.