It is shown that the leading role in the aquaculture of Iraq belongs to Cyprinids, which account for over 80 % of all fish farming production. The most widespread in the country are four main world species of carp aquaculture: common carp (Cyprinus carpio), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis). Basically, the traditional technology of growing Cyprinids in ponds is used, which includes the main fish farming processes: care of broodstock to prepare them for spawning, collecting eggs and milt, eggs fertilization and incubation of embryos, raising juveniles and marketable fish. Currently, there are about 2 thousand private fish farms, which have ponds of various sizes from 4 to 100 hectares. Cultivation of Cyprinids in Iraq is carried out mainly by extensive methods: the use of the natural food base of reservoirs with low fish stocking density in polyculture. The fish productivity of ponds varies greatly in different fish farms from 1,5 to 6 t/ha, which is due to economic reasons. The data on changes in the temperature of pond water during the year and hydrochemical indicators are given, which shows favorable conditions for Cyprinids rearing. Information on the use of compound feeds for growing carp in ponds is provided, and data on the composition and nutritional value of the feed used. The fish culture indicators for the main biotechnical processes of the rearing of four Cyprinid species in Iraq are described in detail. In the conclusion, it is indicated that for the effective development of aquaculture in Iraq, government support is needed in the form of a developed long-term program and legislative acts.

The use of the crop rotation method in fish farming makes it possible to increase fish productivity and crop yields in ponds. In the countries of the Middle East, in recent years, the Aqua Crop rotation practice has been developing, in particular, the consistent cultivation of fish and rice in fish ponds, which allows eliminating the contradictions between these crops and increasing production efficiency. In Iraq, an experiment was carried out on the variable cultivation of rice and carp in fish ponds for four years, with the aim of introducing this practice into the country’s agriculture. Four ponds, each with an area of 7.5 hectares, were involved. The research was carried out in two variants: in experiment No.1 rice was grown in the first year, fish in the second, then rice again and in the fourth year — fish, in the second experiment, on the contrary, at the beginning of the fish, then rice, etc. The fish-breeding season lasted 9 months (March to November). Fish-breeding indicators were studied in detail: survival rate, feed costs, fish productivity, the results of rice cultivation were judged by yield. In addition, indicators of economic efficiency were determined according to a simplified scheme. The results indicate that, in general, fish-breeding indicators turned out to be higher when growing fish in ponds after rice, so fish productivity increased by almost 30% with an average value of 3.9 t/ha, feed costs decreased, while rice yield increased by 15–16% and averaged 3.6 t/ha. The best fish-breeding indicators were obtained in the second experiment after rice was grown in the ponds for two years. Economic calculations confirmed the advantages of using the aquacrop rotation practice, so in the second experiment the cost of marketable fish decreased by 10%, and the profitability increased by almost 30%.