PREVALENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS (AFRICAN CATFISH) AND OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS (NILE TILAPIA) OF JEGA RIVER
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the gastrointestinal parasites of the fishes causing destruction of skin and gill epithelium and injury to tissues or organs in the process of burrowing or consuming food. The gastrointestinal parasites of Clarias gariepinus (Catfish) and Oreochromis niloticus (nile tilapia) from Jega River were investigated in this study. One hundred (100) samples of fishes altogether fifty (50) Clarias gariepinus and fifty (50) Oreochromis niloticus of different sizes and sexes were obtained fresh and brought to biology laboratory, Kebbi State University of science and technology, Aliero for intestinal parasites examination. The fish were dissected through the abdomen by making a longitudinal slit on the ventral surface from the point of pectoral fins to the anus using a blade. The gastrointestinal tract was sectioned into stomach and intestine. The contents of various parts of the gastrointestinal tract were examined for parasites using floatation and sedimentation methods. Thirty-four 34 (68%) out of fifty (50) of clarias gariepinus samples examined were found to be infected with parasites making it the higher prevalence specie while twenty-two 22(44%) out of 50 of Oreochromis niloticus samples examined were found to be infected with parasite. In clarias gariepinus species different species of parasite were identified such that 3(6%) parasites of Proamallanus leavionchus were identified 11(22%) parasites of Hexamita spp, 11 (22%) parasites of Capillaria spp and 4(8%) parasite of Contraceacum spp, 9(18%) parasites of Bothriocephlus spp and 4 (8%) of parasites of Diplostomus spathaceum spp. while in Oreochromis niloticus 4 (8%) of parasite Procamallanus leavionchus were identified .14(28%) of Capillaria spp and 4( 8%) of Contraceacum spp . The prevalence of parasites is slightly higher in males Clarias gariepinus (72%) compared to females (64%), and also in Oreochromis niloticus males having a much higher prevalence (55.6%) than females (30.4%). there was a noticeable increase in infection prevalence as the size of the fishes increases. The individuals in the 20-24.9 cm and 25-29.9 cm and 3.0-5.9 g categories have a 100% infection rate, indicating that larger fish are more prone to parasitic infections. The presence of these parasites infection poses a potential threat to the health of the fishes and as a result of this, further research and awareness are highly recommended in order to understand the prevalence of these parasites of fish in order to find ways of avoiding mortality and disease
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