Incidence of parasitic infection in adult and juvenile Clarias gariepinus in a private fish farm, Yola, Adamawa state

Abstract

The study was conducted in Gesedaddo’s farm, Yola, Adamawa state, Nigeria to determine the prevalence of parasites infecting Clarias gariepinus between June to November, 2016. A total of one hundred and thirty-two (132) fish were sampled for parasitic investigation. Out of these, cultured adults (66) and cultured juveniles (66) respectively were procured from the farm and examined for parasites using the keys of fresh water fish parasite pictorial guide and were examined for parasitic infections using direct wet mount microscopy and stained smears. A total number of 43 adult Clarias gariepinus were infected out of which 132 parasites were identified, while in juvenile Clarias gariepinus, a total number of 10 fish were infected in which 30 parasites were identified in Gesedaddo’s farm. Seven (7) classes of parasites and eleven (11) parasite species, which are namely, Piscinoodinium, (Dinoflagellata), Coccidia, Spironucleus vortens, (Flagellata), Chilodonella, Tetrehymena, (Motile ciliate), Capillaria, Contracaecum, (Nematoda), Microsporidians, (Protozoa), Saprolegnia sp, (Oomycota), Digeneans, and Planarian (Trematoda) were recorded from the gills, stomach, intestine, and skin mucus of the cultured Clarias gariepinus on the farm. Parasitic infestation was higher in the intestine with 63 (47.73) and the least was identified 6 (4.55) on the skin for adult Clarias gariepinus while the highest number of parasites identified in juvenile Clarias gariepinus was found on the skin with total number of 11 (36.67). Among the class of parasites identified, it was recorded that the highest parasitic load occurred most in the class protozoan with 45 (34.09%) and 17 (56.67) in adult and Juvenile C. gariepinus respectively. The Chi square value shows that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the prevalence and intensity of parasitic infection in adults and juvenile C. gariepinus based on sex. Parasitic infestations in the adult and juvenile female were significantly higher than in the adult and juvenile male in cultured Clarias gariepinus. There was a significant difference between incidence of infestation, standard length and body weight of Clarias gariepinus while there was no significant difference (p> 0.05) between parasitic load.