Digenetic Parasite Diversity of the Coastal Trevally Fish, Carangoides caeruleopinnatus: Factors Influencing Parasitism

Abstract

Background: Carangidae is a family of ray-finned fish within the order Carangiformes which are invaded by different parasite species and the rate of parasitism changed regarding different factors. This study aimed to provide information about the relationship between fish size and sex on the parasites that infect fish within the family Carangidae in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A total of 90 Carangoides caeruleopinnatus specimens were collected from the Red Sea. The size of the fish was taken in grams (for weights) and centimeters (for lengths), respectively, as well as fish sex was determined. Fish organs were examined for parasitic infection. Result: There is a relationship between the length, weight and sex of fish hosts on the incidence of parasitic infection in the examined fish. Larger fish size is heavily parasitized than smaller ones which provide a greater surface for infection. In addition, the mean weight of uninfected samples was considerably higher than infected which suggested a weight loss because of parasitic infection. Parasitism in fish has been reported to be sex-biased, with males suffering greater susceptibility than female fish. This study reflects the rate of parasitism in the coastal trevally, Carangoides caeruleopinnatus, concerning fish length as well as their sex.