Prevalence of Parasites Infestation in Cultured and Wild African Catfish in Zaria Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the occurrence of gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites in wild and cultured catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Zaria and its Environs, Nigeria. Two hundred and forty (240) African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) of both sexes were sampled from cultured ponds and some water bodies around Zaria (including Galma dam, river Kubanni, River Saye). The fish were transported to the Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and used for the study. The catfish were dissected longitudinally and examine for parasites (GIT) grossly, and using Simple flotation technique for parasite eggs and oocysts of helminths and protozoans. Modified Ziehl Neelson staining technique was further performed on oocysts suspected to be Cryptosporidium. The result showed an overall occurrence of 32.5% for GIT parasites in Clarias gariepinus in the study area. The GIT parasites identified in both wild and cultured Clarias gariepinus were Procamallanus laevionchus (46.7%), Capillaria species (13.3%), and some unknown helminths (40.0%). There was a highly significant difference (p = 0.001) in the occurrence of Crytosporidium oocysts in wild Clarias gariepinus (86.2%) compared with cultured Clarias gariepinus (13.8%). Based on the sex; there was an observably higher occurrence of GIT parasites in male catfish (17.1%) than in female (15.4%), although not statistically significant (p = 0.645). The finding of this work revealed that gastrointestinal parasites are prevalent in the Clarias species sampled in Zaria and its Environs. It is hereby recommended that effective control measures and good culinary practices should be adopted to decimate the effect of these parasites in fish, especially those raised in culture ponds to improve productivity.