Studies on the endoparasites in the gastro-intestinal tract of Clarias garienpinus (Tugels) in Wase Dam, Kano State, Nigeria.

Abstract

A survey of helminth parasites of the alimentary canal of C. garienpinus was carried out in Kano, between January, 2002 and June 2002. A total of 700 fish samples were examined out of which 281 (40.14%) were infected. The parasites recovered include: Cestodes (Polyonchobothrium sp. and Monobothroids sp.), nematodes (Procamallanus sp. and Paracamallanus sp) and metacercarial cysts of trematodes. Of all the parasites recovered nematodes have the highest occurrence of (40.82%). There was higher infection with increasing fish weight. There was also a high correlation between weight and length of fish (P<0.05, r=+0.98, length and infection (r=+0.84),weight and infection (r=+0.80). The most favourable site for parasites was the intestine for both cestodes and nematodes. Female fish were more infected than males (P< 0.01).



AJAZEB Vol. 6 2004: pp. 36-40