Branchial Chamber and Gastrointestinal Tracts Parasites of Fish Species in Rivers Niger and Benue at Lokoja, North Central, Nigeria

Abstract

Background Freshwater fish species are posing health challenges by either serving as host of parasites that are harmful to man and animals. This study was conducted to determine the parasitic profile of the branchial and gastrointestinal tracts of freshwater fish species from Niger and Benue Rivers at Lokoja. Fish samples were collected within a period of 12 months, the species and sex of the fish were identified. The two opercula of each fish were removed and examined for parasites, parasites recovered were preserved in 0.7% physiological saline. Gastrointestinal tracts were removed from each fish, placed in physiological saline and examined microscopically for parasites. Prevalence of parasites was calculated and comparison among categories was done using chi-square and student t-test. Results A total of seven parasites species were harboured in branchial chamber and gastrointestinal tracts of fish species from Rivers Niger and Benue at Lokoja; Clinostomum sp. (trematode), Camallanus sp. (nematode), Capillaria sp., Rhabdochona congolensis (nematode), Contracaecum sp. (nematode), Proteocephalus sp. (cestode) and Spinitectus guntheri. T. zilli 81(95.3%) had the highest prevalence while O. niloticus, Clarias sp., S. schall and M. atlanticus had prevalence of 87(89.7%), 96(80.0%), 48(70.6%) and 27(38.6%) respectively with prevalence of 191(80.3%) and 148(73.3%) in females and males respectively. The gastrointestinal tracts 287(65.2%) was significantly harboured more parasites than branchial chamber 52(11.8%). Conclusion Fish species in Rivers Niger and Benue are highly infected with parasites. Fish consumers should subject the fish to proper processing before consumption, as some of these parasites maybe of zoonotic importance.