Parasitic fauna of farmed freshwater ornamental sutchi catfish (Pangasiandon hypophthalmus) and silver dollar (Metynnis hypsauchen) in Alborz province, Iran

Abstract

Background: : Parasitic infestations are one of the most significant problems in global aquaculture. In addition to direct economic losses due to significant mortalities, parasites may have a significant negative impact on the fish's behaviour, energetic demands, trophic position, interspecific competition, growth rate, and reproductive function.Objectives: : We conducted the present study to evaluate the infection status of parasitic pathogens in freshwater sutchi catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) and silver dollar (Metynnis hypsauchen) farmed in Alborz province of Iran.Methods: : Between January and February 2021, 140 ornamental fish, including 70 sutchi catfish (P. hypophthalmus) and 70 silver dollar (M. hypsauchen), were delivered from various ornamental fish farms for parasitological analysis. Thorough macroscopic and microscopic examinations were performed to detect parasitic infections in delivered freshwater ornamental fish.Results: : A total of six parasite species, including five protozoan species (Nyctotherus piscicola, Trichodina heterodentata, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Protoopalina sp., and Hexamita sp.) and one monogenean species (Ancyrocephalus sp.), were identified in the examined fish. The overall prevalence of the recovered parasites was 46.43% (65/140) of the fish.Conclusions: : In the current study, several parasites, including Hexamita sp., Ancyrocephalus sp., Protoopalina sp., and N. piscicola, were identified as the first records of the sutchi catfish (P. hypophthalmus) and/or silver dollar (M. hypsauchen), and these two fish species are known as new hosts for the isolated parasites in ornamental fish farms in Iran. Assessing the parasitic fauna of ornamental fish is therefore critical for preventing parasite introduction into adjacent provinces as well as neighbouring countries and promoting fish health.

Histopathological, morphological, and molecular characterization of fish-borne zoonotic parasite Eustrongylides Excisus infecting Northern pike (Esox lucius) in Iran

“…The parasitic infestations are one of the most concerning problems affecting the aquaculture industry [ 43 , 44 ]. The majority of individual fish in both wild and cultivated populations are infected with parasitic pathogens, which may affect the function, growth, reproduction, and survival of the hosts [ 43 – 45 ].…”

Clinico-histopathological and phylogenetic analysis of protozoan epibiont Epistylis wuhanensis associated with crustacean parasite Lernaea cyprinacea from ornamental fish in Iran

“…Based on the importance of parasitic infections as one of the most concerning problems affecting ornamental fish 10 , 45 , 46 , attempting to gain a better understanding of parasitic infestations affecting ornamental fish may play an important role in the success of the ornamental fish industry 47 . Although the overall prevalence of parasitized fish in the visited ornamental fish farm was not particularly high (20.00%), the presence of detectable parasites at any level is of significance because the majority of parasites recovered from freshwater fish in Iran have the potential to induce significant mortalities among captive and wild stocks, particularly those parasites that do not typically require an intermediate host, such as ciliated protozoans and copepod crustaceans.…”

“… – Japan Fukushima et al 38 Megaleporinus obtusidens Epistylis sp. Gills Brazil Pala et al 17 Lepomis macrochirus Peritrich ciliates – Japan Grygier 40 Squalidus gracilis gracilis Peritrich ciliates – Japan Nagasawa et al 41 Oryzias latipes Peritrich ciliates – Japan Nagasawa et al 42 Peritrich ciliates – Japan Nagasawa et al 43 Peritrich ciliates – Japan Nagasawa et al 44 Peritrich-like ciliates – Japan Beatte et al 45 Peritrich-like ciliates – Japan Nagasawa et al 46 Poecilia reticulata Epistylis wuhanensis Body surface & muscle Iran Present study Poecilia latipinna Epistylis wuhanensis Body surface & muscle Iran Present study …”

Molecular identification, phylogenetic analysis and histopathological study of pathogenic free-living amoebae isolated from discus fish (Symphysodon aequifasciatus) in Iran: 2020–2022

“…The most key determinants of the aquaculture industry are edible and aquarium fish cultivation [ 1 , 2 ]. Ornamental fish culture has transformed into one of aquaculture’s most significant aspects, and it is acknowledged as one of the most lucrative sectors in Iran and many other countries [ 3 – 7 ]. The main production of ornamental fish is in the south eastern Asia [ 8 ].…”