STUDIES ON NEMATODE PARASITES INFECTING FRESHWATER FISH IN QENA GOVERNORATE

Abstract

The present study was carried out to make a spot light on nematode parasites infecting Freshwater fish at Qena Governorate; including prevalence, seasonal dynamics of infection; intensity and morphology of the recovered parasite species. It was found that the infection rate of different nematode among fresh-water fish in Qena Governorate was (13%). Lates niloticus has highest infection rate (27.8%) followed by Carias gariepinus (8.3%) the Oreochromis niloticus (2.3%). Concerning the seasonal prevalence Winter has highest infection rate followed by Autumn then Summer and Spring. Four nematodes were recovered and identified  as Paracamallanus cyathopharynx (2.8%) in Clarias lazera; Procamallanus laevionchus (2.8%) in Clarias lazera; Contracaecum sp. (2.8%) in Oreochromis niloticus  and Clarias lazera and (26.4%) in Lates niloticus and Dichelyne niloticus (4.2%) in Lates niloticus. The mean intensity of infection of Contracaecum sp. among Oreochromis niloticus., Clarias gariepinus and Lates niloticus was 2%, 22% and 20% respectively.