Helminth parasites of Clarias gariepinus (Clariidae) in Lekki Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria

Rev Biol Trop. 2006 Mar;54(1):93-9. doi: 10.15517/rbt.v54i1.14003.

Abstract

A total of 360 randomly selected specimens of Clarias gariepinus (Clariidae) recovered from Lekki Lagoon were examined for intestinal helminth parasites. Parasite prevalence and worm burden were low; 17 (4.72%) of the specimens examined were infected with gastrointestinal helminths. The helminth worms recovered include, three cestodes Polyonchobothrium clarias, Stocksia pujehuni and Wenyonia acuminata and a nematode, Paracamallanus cyathopharynx. There was no statistically significant difference in the infection of the male and female Clarias gariepinus; the infection rates in male and female samples were 5.75% and 3.76% respectively. Parasite prevalence was related to the length and weight of the specimens. The fish samples were observed to show negative allometric growth and smaller samples recorded higher helminth infection.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Catfishes / parasitology*
  • Female
  • Helminths / isolation & purification*
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / epidemiology
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Nigeria / epidemiology
  • Prevalence