INTESTINAL HELMINTHS INFECTING THE CATFISH, CLARIAS LAZERA IN RELATION TO SEASONAL VARIATIONS AND SOME BIOLOGICAL FACTORS

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the relationship between the occurrence of helminths infecting Clarias lazera and the seasonal variations. Moreover, the relationship between helminthes and host length and sex was studied. C. lazera fish were collected from Ismailia canal (Ismailia city) and examined for intestinal helminths. The total species recorded were three trematodes (Allocreadium sp, Astiotrema reniferum and Orientochreadium batrachoides); two cestodes (Monobothrioides sp and Polyenchobothrium clarias) and two nematodes (Procamallanus laeviconchus, Paracamallanus cyathopharynx). The highest prevalence of infection was observed in winter (72.5%), while the lowest was recorded in summer (52%). Prevalence of infection with intestinal helminthes was higher in males than in females. The medium-sized and large fish showed the highest prevalence and intensity of infection, while the small fish showed low infection rates. Further studies are recommended on C. lazera helminths taking in to consideration the effect of seasonal variations, length and sex of the fish on the prevalence and intensity of infection along Ismailia canal.