Evaluation of seasonal changes in parasitic infestations of fish species of aquatic ecosystems in Kirkuk Governorate, Iraq

Fish samples (1218 specimens) were examined, both those collected from rivers and ponds, from the Daquq and Altun Kobri, Kirkuk Governorate from February 2022 to the end of October 2022. The results showed changes in some physical and chemical characteristics of water and soil during the study period. The air temperature ranged from 2-46, and 12-28°C for water temperature, while pH was 6.8-7.8, turbidity 2.4-288 FTU, EC 336-1979 µS/cm, the total base ​​120-120, total hardness 170-648 ppm, sulfates 25-210 mg/l and dissolved solids 246-1410 mg/l. The percentage of total infection in the total animal parasites was about 15.599%, where the distribution was as follows: infection with internal parasites (Neoechinorhynchus hamann, Castoda) 3.776%. The percentage of infection with ectoparasites (Ciliates, Spores, Monospores, and Ergasilus mosulensis) was 11.822%, and the highest percentage of infection with mucous sporozoites was 8.702%.