Abstract

Objective: To perform a survey of parasites of two fish species [Tilapia zillii (T. zillii) and Clarias gariepinus (C. gariepinus)] to assess the prevalence and composition of parasites in Ase River catchment, Delta State, Nigeria. Methods: Fish samples were collected from three sampling stations and examined for ectoand endoparasite. Of 180 specimens examined, 60 were from each station comprising 30 C. gariepinus and 30 T. zillii. Results: Station 1 had the highest percentage abundance followed by stations 3 and 2, each with a value of 40.86%, 33.33% and 25.81%, respectively. Ninety (90) specimens composed of 47 males (26.11%) and 43 females (23.89%) were infected. Of these, 21 (23.33%) were male in T. zillii while 25 (27.78%) were female. Male C. gariepinus were more infected than the female with a prevalence of 28.88% and 20.00%, respectively. A total of 8 parasites belonging to 4 taxonomic groups were identified. They include the protozoa represented by Trichodina acuta 29 (31.18%), Epistylis spp. 11 (11.83%), Chilodonella spp. 8 (8.60%), and Ichthyophthirius multifiliis 2 (2.15%); Nematode: Camallanus polypteri 38 (40.86%) and Procamallanus spiralis 2 (2.15%); Trematode: Euclinostomum heterostomum 1 (1.07%) and lastly the acanthocepalan represented by Acanthogyrus tilapiae 2 (2.15%). Total prevalence of infection was 50.0% for both species, with an overall prevalence of 51.11% (46) in T. zillii and 48.89% (44) in C. gariepinus. ANOVA showed that there was a statistical significant difference (P < 0.05) in the infection in the three stations. However student t-test showed no significant difference between sexes of both species. Conclusions: The prevalence of parasites recovered from the two fish species in this study is high. It is therefore recommended that the riparian communities along the river course should desist from activities likely to increase parasite load with restriction of cattle alongside egrets which are the definitive host of Euclinostomum heterostomum.

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