Helminth Parasites of Clarias gariepinus (Clariidae) in Lekki Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

A total of 360 randomly selected specimens of Clarias gariepinus (Clariidae) recovered from Lekki Lagoon were examined for intestinal helminth parasites. Parasite prevalence and worm burden were low; 17 (4.72%) of the specimens examined were infected with gastrointestinal helminths. The helminth worms recovered include, three cestodes Polyonchobothrium clarias, Stocksia pujehuni and Wenyonia acuminata and a nematode, Paracamallanus cyathopharynx. There was no statistically significant difference in the infection of the male and female Clarias gariepinus; the infection rates in male and female samples were 5.75% and 3.76% respectively. Parasite prevalence was related to the length and weight of the specimens.The fish samples were observed to show negative allometric growth and smaller samples recorded higher helminth infection. Rev. Biol.

Aspects of reproductive indices and enteroparasitic infestation of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) in a tropical reservoir

“…Identification of C. gariepinus specimens was done using fish identification guides by (FAO, 1992;Olaosebikan and Raji, 1998). Sexes were identified morphologically (Akinsanya and Otubanjo, 2006). The sexes were confirmed after dissection with the presence of testes in males and ovaries in females.…”

“…It gives prerequisite information needed to plan a breeding programme so as to determine how many eggs would be spawned or stripped, the amount of rearing facilities required and the extent to which various culture equipment would be put to use (Eyo and Mgbenka, 1992). Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) belongs to family Clariidae, and can survive low water levels and associated reduced oxygen levels due to their possession of accessory air breathing organ (Akinsanya and Otubanjo, 2006). The species is important for the economy of Ogbomoso and surrounding settlements, it is actively caught by the local fishermen because of its high growth rate.…”

Morphometric Indices and Enteroparasitic Infestation of <i>Clarias gariepinus</i> (Burchell, 1822) in a Tropical Reservoir

“…Identification of Clarias gariepinus specimens was done using fish identification guides by [15] [16]. Sexes were identified using the description of [2]. The sexes were confirmed after dissection with the presence of testes in males and ovaries in females.…”

“…Fish specimens found with parasite were given separate serial numbers to differentiate them from those without parasites. Identifications were undertaken using information provided by [20] [21] [22] and confirmed with the assistance of [23]and [2], who had earlier confirmed the identity of the parasites through the assistance of the British Museum, United Kingdom.…”

“…It sustains a thriving artisanal fisheries industry and serves as a source of domestic water for the citizens of Ogbomoso North and South local governments. Cla-rias gariepinus belongs to family Clariidae, and can survive during the dry season due to the possession of accessory air-breathing organ [2]. The scientific basis for morphometric in fishes, and the mathematical way that weight relates to length, was set by Fulton, in 1906, who for the first time introduced fisheries science into "allometry" [3].…”