Prevalence, intensity and abundance of endoparasites in Oreochromis niloticus and Tilapia zilli (Pisces: Cichlidae) from Asa Dam, Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Disease is an important factor in fisheries, affecting both wild and cultured species. Using standard parasitological techniques we determined the prevalence, mean intensity and abundance of endoparasites from 250 specimens of two cichlids, Oreochromis niloticus and Tilapia zilli from Asa dam, Ilorin, North Central Nigeria between February and August, 2013. We found two digenetic trematode parasites: Euclinostomium heterostomum and Clinostomum tilapiae. The highest prevalence was recorded in O. niloticus (35,9%) infested by C. tilapiae, while the highest mean intensity was recorded in T. zilli. There was no relationship (p >0,05) between parasite burden and fish size (length and weight). Male fish were more heavily infected than females. The overall health status of both fish species remained unaffected. The high rate of pollution noticed in the study area might be favoring parasite load. Therefore, pollution control and regular surveillance of the water body are advocated.Key words: parasites; flatworms; cichlids; Asa Dam; Nigeria. RESUMEN:Las enfermedades son un factor importante en la pesca, afectando especies silvestres y cultivadas. Mediante el uso de técni-cas parasitológicas estándar se determinó la prevalencia, intensidad y abundancia de endoparásitos en 250 especímenes de dos cíclidos, Oreochromis niloticus y Tilapia zilli de la represa Asa, Ilorin, Nigeria del Norte Central, entre febrero y agosto del 2013. Encontramos dos parásitos trematodos digenéticos; Heterostomum Euclinostomium y Clinostomum tilapiae. La prevalencia más alta se registró en O. niloticus (35,9%) que fue infestado por C. tilapiae, mientras que la media más alta de intensidad se registró en T. zilli. No hubo relación (p>0,05) entre la carga parasitaria y tamaño de los peces (longitud y peso). Los machos fueron más infectados que las hembras. El estado de salud de las dos especies de peces no se vio afectado. La alta tasa de contaminación en el área de estudio podría ser responsable de la aparición del parásito registrado. Por lo tanto, se recomienda el control de la contaminación y la vigilancia regular de la masa de agua.Palabras clave: parásitos; platelmintos, cíclidos; represa Asa; Nigeria.Disease is an important factor in fish production, and this commercially important source of animal protein is susceptible to infections with various parasites (Emere, 2000). Helminthes are among the most important parasites and include nematodes, trematodes, cestodes and acanthocephalans affecting both wild and cultured fishes (Hussen, Tefera & Asrate, 2012). These diseases are closely linked to environmental deterioration and stress. The importance of parasitic infection on fish production has remained an issue of concern to fish farming industry. Fishes especially the cichlids are widely distributed in African water bodies due to their high productivity rate and their ability to adapt to various climatic conditions (Onwuliri & Mgbemena, 1987). Parasites usually compete for food thereby depriving fish of its essential nutrients as suc...

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths of Tilapia zilli (Gervias) in Gombe, Northeastern Nigeria

“…The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths was found to be more frequent in fishes sampled from Gombe main market (17.0%) followed by Kwadon market (15.0%) and Gombe old market (10.70%) in a descending order. Although, the prevalent rate of gastrointestinal helminths in Tilapia zilli reported in this current study was lower than the findings of Bichi and Ibrahim (2009) who recorded 53.40% in Kano, 60.23% reported by Olofintoye (2006) in Ekiti and 56.4% reported by Amaechi (2014) in Ilorin. It is however, higher than 18.70% reported by Biu and Nkechi (2013) in Maiduguri and 37.10% reported by Goselle et al (2008) in Jos.…”

“…Therefore, accurate identification of parasites is important so that a build-up of parasite numbers can be prevented (Goselle et al, 2008). Various researches have been conducted and have reported varying prevalent rates of gastrointestinal helminths of Tilapia species in some parts of Nigeria, 37.09% was reported by Goselle et al (2008) in Jos, Onyedineke et al (2010) reported 60.6% in Edo State, 56.4% reported by Amaechi (2014) in Ilorin, Bichi and Ibrahim (2009) reported 43.3% in Kano, 45.3% was reported by Olofintoye (2006) in Ekiti, 18.7% was reported by Biu and Nkechi (2013) in Maiduguri, Uhuo et al (2014) reported 19.8% in Eboyi State. Other researches by Oniye et al (2004) in Zaria; Akinsanya et al (2007) in Lagos State, Awharitoma and Ehigiator (2012) in Southern Nigeria and Olurin et al (2012) in Ibadan South west Nigeria are of great value.…”

Endoparasites in Chanos chanos (Forsskal, 1775) from the wetlands of Zamboanga City, Western Mindanao, Philippines

“…This is consistent with the findings of Cauyan that linear correlations between total parasite count and fish total length showed negative relationships for all species. It also agrees with the findings of Amaechi [1] that there was no relationship between the endoparasites and size of the fish. Khalil [15] also stated that there was no relationship between fish length and parasitism, given that larger-sized fish were less affected by infection than the smallersized fishes.…”

“…Endoparasites found at the gills, stomach and intestine of the fish during macroscopic and microscopic examination were identified, counted and photographed. The relations of the number of parasites and the fish length, fresh weight and body height were determined using Pearson Correlation Analysis [1]. The prevalence and mean intensity of the different endoparasites in the fish samples were accomplished by using the formula: It is a parasite that is 5 to 20 cm in length, kidney shaped in appearance with 2 flagella attached to the ventral part of the body.…”

“…These diseases are closely linked to environmental deterioration and stress. The importance of parasitic infection on fish production has remained an issue to fish farming industry [1]. Diseases are caused by many parasites including protozoans and helminthes.…”