Protozoan parasites of freshwater ornamental fish

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The ornamental fish aquaculture represents a consolidated market worldwide. In Brazil, the major volume of commercialized freshwater ornamental fish is originated from fish farms managed by small and midsized farmers. The aim of this study was to characterize the metazoan parasitic fauna associated with the main freshwater ornamental fish farmed in Southern Brazil. Between July 2014 and January 2015, 423 fishes belonging to nine freshwater species were examined: angelfish Pterophylum scalare, siamese fighting fish Betta splendens, telescope and comet goldfish Carassius auratus, zebrafish Danio rerio, blood red swordtail Xiphophorus helleri, caramel and wagtail platy fish Xiphophorus maculatus, black molly Poecilia sphenops, white cloud mountain minnow Tanichthys albonubes and goldfinned barb Puntius sachsii. Water quality was measured in fishponds from each facility. Specimens were obtained from three ornamental fish farms located in three micro-regions in the State of Santa Catarina (Biguaçu, Camboriú e Joinville). Parasitological indexes were obtained after parasitological analysis of mucus, gills, and eyes. Trichodinids, Piscinoodinium pillulare, and Ichthyophthirius multifiliis were found in all fish farms analyzed. However, P. pillulare showed the greatest prevalence and mean intensity, compared to the other protozoa analyzed. 75% prevalence and mean intensity 57.5 were observed in the gills of P. scalare from fish farm Araquari. This study showed that fish farm Biguaçu, was the facility presenting the greatest parasite diversity. P. scalare and C. auratus were the most parasitized fish species presenting the higher richness when compared to another species. These ornamental species are widely traded and require greater care in cultivation because it is essential to produce healthy fish with attractive features accepted by the market.

Parasitological diagnosis in ornamental freshwater fish from different fish farmers of five Brazilian states

“…Of the fish from Patrocínio do Muriaé, 44% (22/50) were infected with Chilodonella sp., while, in Cascavel, 21.6% (8/37) and 18.9% (7/37) were infected with P. pillulare and Tetrahymena sp., respectively. These ectoparasites have been frequently reported in studies from different Brazilian regions (Piazza et al, 2006;Tavares-Dias et al, 2009, 2010Eiras et al, 2012;Florindo et al, 2017b; and their transmission occurs especially through direct contact between infested and healthy fish. Elevated intensities of these protozoan parasites are common in cultured fish because the parasite disseminates in fish population via the use of routine utensils and water used during fish transport (Martins et al, 2002(Martins et al, , 2015Tavares-Dias et al, 2010).…”

“…All fish analyzed from Timbó were Goldfish, Carassius auratus, from a new producer in the region, and 100% (55/55) of the fish were infected with trichodinids. Trichodinids have been previously described to infect ornamental freshwater fish from different Brazilian regions (Piazza et al, 2006;Tavares-Dias et al, 2009, 2010Martins et al, 2012;Florindo et al, 2017b;Santos et al, 2017;. In natural habitats, these ectoparasites cause no clinical effects and have also been reported in cultured fish (Martins and Ghiraldelli, 2008).…”

Identification of Ectoparasites Cause Lesions in Parents Goldfish (Carassius auratus)

“…Secara luas kelompok ektoparasit yang memberikan efek buruk pada ikan termasuk kelompok ciliata, protozoa, flagelata, monogena dan bebrapa crustasea yang hidup pada tubuh ikan (Najm M dan Mahdi F, 2015). Selain itu parasit kelompok metazoan juga banyak menyerang ikan hias air tawar seperti comet goldfish Carassius auratus, angel fish Pterophylum scalare, platy fish Xiphopphorus maculates and siamese fighting fish Betta splendens (Florindo et al, 2017).…”

DIFFERENCES IN THE ACUTE AMMONIA TOXICITY BETWEEN SEXES OF GUPPY <i>Poecilia reticulata</i> (POECILIIDAE)

“…Although part of the freshwater ornamental fish traded worldwide comes from capture, approximately 90 % are captive bred (Sommerville et al, 2016). The success of ornamental production depends on environmental quality, fish health and welfare (Florindo et al, 2017), because changes in water quality, stress, and high stocking densities lead to economic losses (Martins et al, 2002).…”