Length-Weight Relationship and the Distribution of Intestinal Helminth Parasites in Freshwater Fishes from Amansea and Ebenebe Rivers in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: The current study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence and distribution of intestinal helminths in freshwater fishes. 
 Study Design: The study was a survey done to establish the type of intestinal parasite found in freshwater fish in the rivers.
 Place and Duration of Study: The fish samples were collected from Amansea and Ebenebe Rivers from November 2021 to January 2022.
 Methodology: Intestinal parasites of three (3) fish species commonly found in these rivers (Parachanna obscura, Clarias gariepinus, and Ctenopoma kingsleyae) were examined. A comparative evaluation of the prevalence and distribution of the parasite was done in relation to their gender, location, weight, and length.
 Results: A total of 24 fish samples were collected in the Amansea River and 26 samples were collected in Ebenebe River. Seventeen (17) samples of P. obscura, 21 samples of C. gariepinus and 12 samples of C. kingsleyae caught with the cast nets of various mesh sizes and gill traps by artisanal fishermen in Rivers were bought early in the morning, transported to the Laboratory and identified based on morphological features. Out of a total of 50 fish sampled, 17 fishes (34% of the total sample) were infected by intestinal helminths. P. obscura had the highest parasite prevalence (47.06%) followed by C. gariepinus (42.86%). However, no parasite was recorded in C. kingsleyae. Prevalence of intestinal parasites in Ebenebe (18.00%) was higher than in Amansea (16.00) with a significant difference in prevalence (p<0.05), while parasite abundance was higher in Amansea (50.94%) than in Ebenebe (49.06%) with significant difference (p<0.05). Females had the highest prevalence (35.00%) against male fishes (33.33%) with no significant difference. A total number of 53 parasites belonging to 7 genera were recovered in this study. Parasites identified were nematodes: Procamallanus sp. (41.5%), Camallanus sp. (9.43%), Rhabdochona sp. (26.42%), Contracaecum sp. (7.55%), and Spinitectus sp. (5.66%); cestodes: Polyonchobothrium sp. (5.66%); and trematodes: Clinostomum sp (3.77%). The highest parasite abundance was recorded in Procamallanus sp. (41.5%), while Clinostomum sp had the least (3.77%).
 Conclusion: This study revealed that the prevalence of intestinal parasites in freshwater fish is relatively high. Therefore, fish consumers should subject the fish to proper processing before consumption as some of these parasites are of zoonotic importance.

Assessment of Gastrointestinal Parasite in Silver Catfish (Bagrus bayad; Forskal, 1775) from Ajiwa Reservoir Katsina State, Nigeria

“…Even though infestations from fish-borne helminthic in the general public are comparatively rare, consumption of uncooked or raw fish that has been adulterated with particular parasitic worms, such as tapeworms, may be detrimental to your well-being (Yusuf et al, 2023& Ziarati et al, 2022. The impacts of parasitic worm infestation on the development or growth and eating of freshwater fishes are just one of the difficulties Nigerian local fish production looks (Obiageli et al, 2022;Yusuf et al, 2023). These parasitic worms, which can be Endo or Ecto parasites, are current in these freshwater organisms and might cause slow growth.…”

Comparative Study of the Parasitic Helminth Burden of Clarias gariepinus and Tilapia zilli In Fresh Water Reservoir (Zobe Dam) Dutsin-Ma, Katsina, Nigeria

“…The ability of freshwater bodies to address the "triple burden of malnutrition" (micronutrient deficiencies, undernutrition, overweight, and obesity) may lay in sustainable healthy diets (UN, 2021;Obiageli et al, 2022).…”

“…Freshwater bodies are renowned for the variety of aquatic meals with Fish as Nigeria's primary protein source (Vries-Ten Have et al, 2020;Obiageli et al, 2022). As the human population grows, there is an inevitable increase in the need for fish as a protein source.…”

“…The effects of parasite infection on the growth and consumption of freshwater fish are just one of the challenges Nigerian domestic fish production faces (Obiageli et al, 2022).…”