Determination of Most Reliable Bony Structure For Ageing of Carassius carassius (Linnaeus, 1758) Inhabiting In Duhok River (Iraq)

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to make a comparative age determination in the population of Carassius carassius (Linnaeus, 1758) living in Duhok River. For this purpose, 71 fish samples (57 male and 14 female) were obtained. The bony structures vertebrae, scales, otoliths and operculum used in the age determination. The age groups determined for each bony structure. The number and percentage distributions of individuals in these groups were expressed with tables. The comparison of age matching between bony structures was expressed by figures. The most reliable bony structures were found as vertebrae, otolith, scales and operculum respectively. The highest consistency was observed in the vertebrae (70.42%). The ages changed between I and IX age in Carassius carassius in this study.