PREVALENCE AND INTENSITY OF HELMINTH PARASITES OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS FROM THE WILD AND POND HABITAT IN ANAMBRA STATE
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Abstract
Clarias gariepinus is an important source of protein to humans. Parasitic infections in the fish has led to decreased production that results in economic loss through fish mortality. The specific objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of helminthic parasites in relation to sex, and the intensity of helminthic parasites of C. gariepinus from the wild and pond habitats in Anambra state. A total of 40 live adults (15 C. gariepinus each from wild and 10 from pond habitats) which include 34 males and 6 females were randomly purchased from local fishermen at Otuocha and Awba-Ofemili rivers, as well as Afik pond, and were subjected to examination for helminth parasites. The sexes were identified by physical observation of the urogenital papillae in males, as well as round and reddish in the matured females. These were later confirmed after dissection by visual observation of the testes in males and ovaries in the females. Out of the total 40 C. gariepinus examined, the total prevalence was higher (47.5%) in natural habitat than the cultured habitat (0%), while the parasite intensity was more in the wild habitat (3.11%) than the pond habitat (0%). Male C. gariepinus 17 (50%) has the highest parasite intensity than the female fish 2 (33.33%). There was no significant difference in prevalent rates between male and female Clarias gariepinus (X2 =1.040, P=0.308). Higher prevalence recorded from natural habitat could be attributed to many factors such as feeding habit of fish, pollution of water bodies, and availability of intermediate hosts. A detailed study on seasonal prevalence and the impact of helminth infestations on production of fish and probable intervention measures is recommended.
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