ECOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE NEKTONIC COMMUNITY OF CARP FISH AND PROSPECTS FOR ITS PRODUCTION
Aim. The aim is to study some of the bio-ecological and morpho-physiological features of the main species of cultivated carp fish, the influence of a complex of biological methods of intensification on the growth and yield of bioproducts. Methods. Frontal method was used to obtain larvae from mirror and scaly carp species. Hydro-chemical and hydro-biological studies of water bodies, establishment of qualitative and quantitative criteria for the main groups of the trophic chain were carried out according to the existing methodology. Results. To clarify the growth characteristics of scaly and mirror carp fish under different growing conditions, we conducted experiments on their separate farming in four ponds. According to the planned experiment, from June 1, carps in ponds number 3 and 4 were fed with artificial fodders. From the first days of farming, scaly carp had a higher rate of growth, ahead of the same age mirror carps almost one and a half times. Since the beginning of feeding, the ratio in the growth rate of carp of different groups has changed dramatically, scaly carp with additional feeding increased the average weight by 8.6 g, while the mirror ones by 10.3 g over the same period. Conclusions. From the analysis of the experiments carried out, it follows that in the first year of life scaly carp have a higher growth rate on natural diet compared to the mirror ones by 16%, and in the second year, by 9% (P>0.999). Consequently, for intensive fish farming with the use of additional fodder, it is possible to recommend both scaly and mirror species of carp.