Twelve plastic basins each filled with 6 litres of dechlorinated tap water at pH 6 7 (control), 7 5 and 8 such that each pH treatment was replicated three times in a Latin square design were used for the study. The tanks were randomly stocked with 10 four-week-old Clarias gariepinus (♀) x Heterobranchus bidorsalis (♂) hybrid juveni es (mean we ght 3.32 ± 0.05 g) and fed 30.25% crude protein diets for five weeks. Fish growth was measured by weighing the juveniles every week and the weight differences, specific growth rate (SGR) and food conversion ratio (FCR) determined. F sh raised at pH treatment 7.0 recorded sign f cantly higher we ght ga n (P < 0 05) than other pH treatments We ght ga n of fish ra sed at pH 6.0 was however not different (P > 0 05) from that of fish raised on pH 8.0 treatment. There was significant dif erence (P < 0.05) in the SGR of the juveniles raised at pH 6 and pH 8. There was no s gnificant difference (P > 0.05) between the SGR of f sh ra sed at pH 7 and pH 7.5 bu there was s gnificant difference between the SGR of fish raised at pH 7 and fish raised at other treatments. Fish showed reduced growth when raised at pH 6 and pH 8 and positive growth when raised at pH 7 and 7.5 though there was no significant d fference (P > 0 05) in FCR o fish cultured at all pH treatments. Our results showed that the optimal pH range or rais ng the hybrid cat ish juveni es was between 7.0-7.5 pH.

13], Nordic countries [14] and China [15,16] among others. Suis generally are of religious, agricultural, pharmaceutical, industrial and medical uses for various products including insulin production, xenotransplantation, reservoir hosts to some human diseases (Balantidiasis, Cysticercosis and Trichinosis) and provision of meat, hair, blood, skin etc [4,5,[17][18][19]. The importance of local pig breeds in the rural economy of Nigeria, which ranks them in number next to goats (excluding poultry) in the Western and Eastern States has been reported [17]. However, these local breeds have been gradually replaced by exotic breeds which receive relatively better care from farmers. In the Eastern part of Nigeria, inadequate information on the parasites associated with these exotic species as a template for piggery management, prevention of zoonoses and related general public health concerns exists. In this regard, some published works on both breeds in some parts of Nigeria have been recorded [1,6,7,17]. The present study was carried out to look at the prevalence and incidence of ecto-and endoparasites of slaughtered exotic pig breed (large white) in Ikpa Market abattoir, Nsukka. Materials and Methods Study areaIkpa Market abattoir is located in Nsukka metropolis (6° 51″ 23′ N; 7° 23″ 44′ E), Enugu State, in southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It is a centre of palm oil trade blessed with the first Nigerian University, the University of Nigeria, commercial banks, hospitals, schools and network of transportation and communication systems. The town has an estimated population of 167,086 and is blessed with beautiful vegetation dotted with several soft green hills and a cool temperate-like weather. Pigs are supplied to the market from the University piggery as well as small scale farmers in the city. Pork is the meat of choice during traditional festivals. SamplingOne hundred and eighty (180) pigs slaughtered at Nsukka abattoir between 1 st July and 31 st August 2012 were all examined for ectoparasites, endoparasites and blood parasites. Sex and age differences in parasite distribution were noted. The intestinal and skin parasites were collected from three groups according to their ages [6,7]. Animals in Group I were between the ages of 4 and 6 months, Group II 6 to 9 months and Group III over 9 months. Age and sex were assessed on the basis of dentition and teat, respectively. Prior to slaughtering, external parts of each pig (ear, tail, trunk and limbs)