Parasitic Infection of the Nile Perch Lates niloticus (L) in River Kaduna .

Abstract

A total of 240 Specimen of Lates niloticus from River Kaduna were examined for ecto and endoparasites between August 1994 and July 1995. The fish acted as hosts for the endoparasitic helminths Neoechinorhyncus, Camallanus, Euclinostomum and Proteocephalus species. Only the ectoparasite Argulus species was recovered. The incidence and intensity of infection was higher for acanthocephalans and cestodes. Seasonal cycle in incidence and intensity of infection was evident being more predominant in the rainy season (April - August). There was higher infection with increasing fish length. The host diet and availability of infective larval stages was thought to influence the number of parasites. The difference in the host reproductive condition affected the level of infection since the parasitic burden was more evident in gravid females.

Journal of Aquatic Sciences Volume 15, April 2000, pp. 51-54



KEY WORDS:

Parasites, Lates niloticus, Kaduna.