Effect of Sex and Season on the Prevalence of Helminthic Parasites of Bagrus bayad in Sabke Dam, Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

Fish parasites and diseases remain some of the most important area of research to fishery biologist. Fish may serve as intermediate or definitive hosts of parasites that are of economic importance to man and other animals. This research aimed to investigate the seasonal variations on the prevalence of parasites in Bagrus (Bagrus bayad) in Sabke Dam. One hundred and twenty (120) fish samples were collected, rinsed for ectoparasite. Specimens were dissected and organs were bathed in saline solution for parasite recovery and identification. The result shows that in Bagrus bayad the intestine had the highest occurrence of parasites of 24 (20.00%) followed by the stomach 22 (18.33%) respectively. Helminthic parasites recovered were Trematodes (Neascus sp), Cestodes (B. aegyptiacus, P. clarias and P. glanduliger), Nematodes (Contracaecum sp and P. laevionchus), and Acanthocephalan (N. rutuli) The result showed that the prevalence of infection increased with increase in the hosts size (length and weight), and infection was highest in the dry season. Therefore, follow up surveys on the life cycle of the major parasites should be done at certain intervals in order to identify any change in the trends of possible fish parasites that could affect the fish populations.