Incidence of helminth parasites on the Electric fish, Malapterurus electricus, in river Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

Helminth infestation of the electric fish, Malapterurus electricus, was investigated in River Kaduna, Nigeria without bias for age and sex. Fresh specimens were examined for helminths in their fins, gills, buccal cavity, stomach, intestine, liver and muscle, for a period of one year (June 1998 to May 1999), of the 228 samples examined, 32.11% were infected with helminth parasites. The intestine and the stomach recorded the highest number of parasites (58.40% and 34.51% respectively). Fish of total length 35 - 40 cm ranked highest (30.09%) with respect to number of parasites found. Acanthocephalans ranked highest (46.02%) followed by the Trematodes (24.78%). Helminth cysts were found in the liver and muscles of fish of total lengths 20 - 24.9 cm and above. The highest occurrence (46.94%) was recorded in fish of total length 35 - 40 cm. Liver contained more cysts (61.22%) than the muscles (38.78%).

JOURNAL OF AQUATIC SCIENCES Volume 16, Number 2, October 2001, pp. 144-146




KEY WORDS:

Helminth; parasites, Malapterurus electricus