PARASITIC FAUNA OF TWO DOMINANT CLARIID (SILURIFORMES) CATFISHES IN A TROPICAL FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEM, NIGERIA

Abstract

Three hundred and sixty clariid catfishes comprising of 231 (64.17%) Clarias gariepinus and 129(35.83%) Clarias
anguillaris caught with various fishing gears were studied for parasites for a period of 12 months (May 2013 to
April 2014) in Anambra River, Nigeria. Out of the 360 fish specimens, 148 (41.1%) fish hosts were infected while
212 (58.89%) were uninfected. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in the prevalence of infection between
C. gariepinus (44.2%) and C. anguillaris (35.7%). The total number of parasites recovered were 608, comprising
two protozoans (Trichodina acuta and Epistylis sp.), two cestodes (Polyonchobothrium clarias and Monobothriode
woodlandi) and two nematodes (Rhabdochona congolensis and Procamallanus laevionchus). Protozoan ciliates
recovered from the gills and skin of fish hosts had the highest prevalence (25.55%) among the parasites recovered.
The rest parasites were recovered from the intestine and the glandular stomach. The relationship of host size
(weight and length) and parasite infection showed infection was significant (p < 0.05) in fish of larger weight (126
g+) and length (30 cm+). There was significant (p < 0.05) difference in the infection of sexes, with the males having
more infections. Monthly/seasonal patterns of infection varied from one parasite to another. This study provides an
overview of the parasites of some clariid species inhabiting the Anambra River.