Gut Parasites Associated With Selected Freshwater Fish Species, Mormyrus Rume And Oreochromis Niloticus From River Kaduna.

Abstract

Gut parasites have been recognized as a major constraint to fish production in developing countries. The aim of this research was to determine the prevalence of gut parasites of selected freshwater fish species from River Kaduna. Results showed that 145 fishes out of the 200 examined were infected, giving an overall prevalence (72.5%) of freshwater fish species sourced from a segment of River Kaduna. Oreochromis niloticus was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in female (83.6%) than in males (75.6%), similarly Mormyrus rume was higher in females (68.2%) than in males (62.5%). The difference in prevalence of gut parasites between the different body weight and length of the freshwater fish species were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The parasites identified comprised of three taxonomic groups, the nematodes were Contracaecum species (35.0%) and Capillaria species (15.6%), Cestode was Diphyllobothrium latum (25.0%) and Trematode was Clinostomum species (25.0%). There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between parasite load and the freshwater fish species of parasites identified from River Kaduna. The intestines harboured the highest number of parasites (91) than stomach, oesophagus and rectum and parasites identified comprised of three taxonomic groups. It is recommended that public enlightenment should be embarked on to educate on the dangers of indiscriminate waste disposal and other unhealthy human activities on the aquatic environment which may affect the health of the fish.