Abstract
This study deals with the investigation of parasitic infection in Channa punctatus collected from open and closed water in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Skins, gills and intestine of the host were observed for finding parasites. In total 253 parasites were identified under 26 species from 40 experimental fish. 12 species of ectoparasites and 13 species of endoparasites were recorded with 1 more species of both ecto and endo parasitic activities in Channa punctatus. Different types of parasites such as protozoa, platyhelminth, nematoda, acanthocephala, arthropoda, gastrotricha and rotifer were found from experimental fish. The overall incidence of infection in Channa punctatus was higher (60.00%) of protozoan parasites. The highest incidence of infection of protozoan parasites was recorded as 60.00% in open water samples. On the other hand, the highest incidence of infection in closed water was recorded as 75% of platyhelminth parasites. Furthermore, the intensity of infection by protozoan species was recorded in open and closed water fish as 2.92 and 4.83 respectively while the intensity of infection by platyhelminthes species found was 1.00 and 1.87 in open and closed water respectively. Finally, two new species (Rotifer sp. and Chaetonotus sp.) were assumed to be new parasites in Channa punctatus.
Highlights
IntroductionAmong other snake headed fishes (C. striatus, C. marulius, C. barca, and C. orientalis) Channa punctatus is one of the most popular fish with delicious taste
The snake headed fish Channa punctatus is the representative of the Channiform family Channidae which is the most important species of inland fisheries of Bangladesh
Air breathing Channa punctatus can live without water for long time without using any preservatives, this fish increasingly being used for freshwater aquaculture in Bangladesh to diverse favorable cultural characteristics
Summary
Among other snake headed fishes (C. striatus, C. marulius, C. barca, and C. orientalis) Channa punctatus is one of the most popular fish with delicious taste. This fish is mostly served as a curry dish of boiled fish kneaded to soft moist mass mixed with spices or dry in form. It is mud-loving fish and due to its food habit, it can act as an intermediate host for many helminth parasites. The parasitic infections of this experimental fish results in economic losses due to mortality, and treatment costs, decreasing growth that reduces the expansion of aquaculture
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