Investigation of the distribution and frequency of plankton in line with the development of aquaculture in Ghalachai Dam Lake

In the plan of developing aquaculture and increasing production in the lake behind Ghalachai dam in Ajab Shir, East Azerbaijan, plankton studies were considered as basic studies to increase fish production in this lake. In this project, 5 study stations were considered in the area of the dam lake and the river entrance. The studies started quarterly from the winter of 2010 and continued for one year until the fall of 2011. For phytoplankton, one liter of water (unfiltered) was filtered for sampling of zooplankton, and 30 liters of water was filtered by a 30-micron zooplankton net. In phytoplankton studies, 27 genera from 5 Phyla were identified. The highest frequency is related to the Bacillariophyta, which has %81.1 of phytoplankton density and its important genera are Cyclotella and Nitzschia. The highest frequency is related to the Phylum Ciliophora, which has %68.1 of zooplankton population in this lake and its important genera are Tintinnopsis and Tintinnidium. Comparison of planktonic observations and physical and chemical data of water, showed that Ghalae chay lake have talents and suitable planktonic species for feeding and rearing their fish. Thus, Natural reserves of this source can be used to increase the value of fishery fish.