Gills and Intestinal Parasites of Cichlids in Uke River, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Authors: Banyigyi HA, Ameh SM, Obaje IA
DOI Info: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7496619
ABSTRACT
The gills and intestinal parasites of Cihlids fishes in Uke River, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria was investigated in this study. The fishes used for the study were collected fresh from fishermen at Uke River and brought immediately to the Laboratory for parasitic examination at the Department of Zoology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria. A total of 112 fishes were collected for parasitic examination between July and September 2019. The gills were cut out and placed on separate petri dishes for gill parasites examination, while the abdomen was cut open to remove the intestinal tract for intestinal parasites examination. The intestinal tract was sectioned into the oesophagus, stomach, and rectum. Eleven (11) out of the 112 fishes were found to be infected with parasites and a total number of fourteen (14) parasites were isolated belonging to three (3) species (Eimeria spp, Huffmanella spp and Eutrongylides spp). A total of nine (9) Eimeria spp, three (3) Huffmanella spp and two (2) Eustronglides spp were isolated. Eimeria spp and Eustronglides were isolated from the gills, while Huffmanella spp were isolated from the intestine. Although there was low incidence of parasitic infection, there is no doubt that the infection rate was significant to elicit some pathological effects on fishes by retarding their growth, cause death and a reduction in market values.
Affiliations: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara, Kogi State, Nigeria.
Keywords: Gills, Intestinal, Parasites, Cichlids, Uke River
Published date: 2022/12/30
