Parasites of Three Economically Important Fishes (Ethmalosa Fimbriata, Chrysichthys Nigrodigitatus and Sarotherodon Melanotheron
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Applied Tropical Agriculture Volume 22, No. 2, 52-62, 2017. © A publication of the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. Parasites of Three Economically Important Fishes ( Ethmalosa fimbriata , Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Sarotherodon melanotheron ) from Lagos Lagoon, Southwestern Nigeria Emmanuel, B.E.* and Aromodiu, H.A.W. Department of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Akoka Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria *Corresponding author: [email protected]; [email protected] ABSTRACT Parasites in three economically important fishes (Ethmalosa fimbriata, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Sarotherodon melanotheron) from Lagos Lagoon were studied between March and August, 2015. Out of 90 specimens analyzed, a total of 41 (45.6%) specimens were infected with parasites having a total parasite count of 735. Glochida accounted for the most abundant parasite in the gills and skin of C. nigrodigitatus having a prevalence of 43.81%, Ergasilus sp. had the least amount of prevalence with 0.41%, Gyrodactylus had a prevalence of 6.80%, Neobenedenia had a prevalence level of 0.95%. Larvae forms of Eustrongylides from S. melanotheron had a prevalence level of 4.08% while Piscinodinium which was identified from the gills of both S. melanotheron and E. fimbriata had a prevalence level of 41.36%, an unidentified worm had a prevalence of 2.59%. Human beings who consumed raw or under - cooked fish that are infected with larval stages of Eustrongylides have experienced gastritis or inflammation of the stomach and intestinal perforation requiring surgical removal of worms. Key words : Parasite, fish, gill, skin, under - cooked, gastritis intestinal perforation INTRODUCTION Fishes are important to man as they serve as a good source fecundity reduction (Nmor et al.,2004) and mechanical of animal protein for both man and livestock. It also serves injuries depending on the parasite species and load (Echi et as a source of income in Nigeria and other countries in sub- al., 2009a, b). Fish is the most parasitized vertebrate and the Saharan Africa where some 35 million people depend presence of parasite is detrimental to fish population which wholly or partly on the fisheries sector for their livelihood may cause high mortality, weight loss and reduced (FAO, 1996). fecundity on both farmed and wild fish species especially Many diseases found in fish are closely linked to in waters contaminated with industrial and urban pollutants environmental degradation and stress; once the (Ramollo, 2008). In instances where host are overcrowded environment is disturbed the organisms too become such as in aquaria’s and fish ponds, parasitic disease can stressed (SEAFDEC, 1999). Parasitism, according to spread very rapidly causing large mortalities (Parpena, Marcogliese (2002) reflects a life style whereby one or 1996) while in natural systems they may threaten the more individual organisms (the parasites) live in close abundance and diversity of indigenous fish species obligate association in or on another (the host) and derives (Mashego, 2001). nutritional benefits at the host’s expense, usually without Parasites can be divided into micro-parasites and killing the host. Parasites are a major concern to freshwater macroparasites on the basis of size, the micro-parasites and marine fishes all over the world, and of particular include viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans, micro- importance in the tropics (Iyaji and Eyo, 2008; Bichi and sporidians and mixozoans. Surveys for microparasites in Dawaki, 2010; Ekanem et al., 2011). They constitute a fish hosts, most often consider only protozoans major limiting factor to the growth of farmed fish in Nigeria (Marcogliese, 2002). Macro-parasites are multicellular (Bichi and Yelwa, 2010). The effects of parasites on fish organisms mainly comprised of the helminthes and include nutrient devaluation (Hassan et al., 2010); arthropods. Furthermore, parasites can also be divided into alteration of biology and behaviour (Lafferty, 2008); ecto-parasites and endo-parasites on the basis of their lowering of immune capability, induction of blindness location in the fish’s body. Ecto-parasites are those found (Echi et al., 2009 a, b); morbidity, mortality, growth and on the external surfaces such as skin or gills while endo- 52 Parasite in fishes from Lagos lagoon parasites are those housed within internal organs or cavities year with 64% prevalence. The pericardium inhabiting of a host (Marcogliese, 2002). Klinger and Floyd (2002) nematode, Contracaecum sp, Amplicaecum sp and noted common parasites of fishes to include: Protozoans Eustrongylides sp were most prevalent in freshwater fish (Ciliates, Flagellates, Myxozoa, Microsporidia, Coccidia), hosts. Nematode parasite, Procamallanus laevionchus was monogenean trematodes, digenean trematodes, nematodes found with highest prevalence of 62.2% in S. schall at rivers or roundworms ( Camallanus, Capileria, Eustrongylides ), Niger and Benue confluence (Iyaji, 2011). Cestodes or tapeworms, acanthocephalans or thorny headed worms, parasitic crustaceans ( Ergasilus, Lernaea, Argulus ) Elsewhere, Raissy et al . (2008) reported the presence of and leeches . It is usually known that external parasite Dactylogyrus spiralis in the gills of Cyprinus carpio in Iran. constitutes the largest group of pathogenic parasites in The microsporidean Plistophora sp infections of warm water fishes. Parasite infection of the body cavity and Haplochromis angustifrons and H. elegans in Lake George the musculature of fishes have been reported as presenting had very low prevalence of less than 1% out of 302 fish marketing problems for commercially exploited species examined from both sexes (Paperna, 1973). Infections by (Petersen et al., 1993). For instance, heavy infestation of Nosemoides tilapia in Tilapia zilli, T. guinensis and the Alaska Pollack ( Theragra chalcogramme) with Sarotheradon melanotheron were common in Lake Nakoue pleroceroid of Nybelinia surmenicola has reduced the and Porto Novo lagoon with prevalence of 13-30% (Sakiti consumable part of the fish to the dorsal musculature and Bouix, 1987). The visceral myxobolus infections of (Grabda, 1970). Similarly, infestation with plerocerocoids Oreochromis sp in East African lakes were quite high of Gymnorlynchus thyrsitae has seriously affected the (prevalence 89-100%) while in Haplochromis sp they were exploitation of the highly valued Thyrsite atun in New only rarely above 25% (FAO, 1996). Prevalence of skin and Zealand (Mehl, 1970). gill infections of Myxobolus sp was very low (Paperna, 1973). Prevalence of Henneguya sp infecting Clarias The Piscinodinium pillulare recorded in this study causes a gariepinus of Okavanga River and the Delta in Botswana condition known as velvet disease in which it coats the gills were also generally low, 14.3% in the cartilage of the of the infected fish and heavy infestation is known to cause accessory breathing organ and primary gill lamallea (Reed mass mortalities as reported by Kunz and Pung (2004) . et al ., 2003). Kostoingue et al ., (2001) reported primary gill Other effects of parasite on fish include muscle lamellae infections of Henneguya sp and their prevalence degeneration, liver dysfunction, interference with nutrition, in the following fish genera: Auchinoglanus occidentalis ; cardiac disruption, nervous system impairment, castration Citharinus citherus ; Mormyrus cashive ; Lates niloticus ; or mechanical interference with spawning, weight loss and Clarias auguilaris with prevalences of 36.8% (21/57) gross distortion of the body (Kunz and Pung, 2004). Other 25.8% (16/32) 13.3% (12/90) 4.4% (3/63) and 9.1% (4/44) severe pathological disorders reported by Bauer (1959); respectively from freshwater ecosystem of Chad, Central Sweeting (1977); Mitchell and Hoffman (1980) include Africa. Henneguya chrysichthyi gill infection in C. inflammation and atrophy of the viscera, resulting from nigrodigitatus had a prevalence of 37% (Obiekezie et al ., compression and displacement of organs by the parasites, 1988) with the highest intensity of infection in the 21-30 often together with accumulation of blood stained ascetic cm class, corresponding to fish in their second year fluid. (Ezenwa and Ikusemiju, 1981). Among the heminths, Obiekezie et al . (1988) found the A review from Nigeria indicated that freshwater fish monogenean Protancylodiscoides chysichthes occurred parasites belong to protozoans, trematode, nematode, throughout the year on the gills of the fish with monthly cestode, acanthocephalan, copepod and hirudinea groups prevalence of infection consistently above 70% (Except in (Iyaji and Eyo, 2008). Okaeme and Ibiwoye (1988) August) and low mean intensity during heavy rain months revealed that the protozoans constitute an important (July - Oct). Data on cestode infestations of fish are mostly economic disease of catfishes in Lake Kainji area in from wild fish species (FAO, 1996). Nigeria. Ibiwoye et al . (2006) reported the prevalence rate of 22.5, 76.25 and 1.25% for gastro-intestinal parasites, Despite all these reports, very little is known about the Procamallanus laevionchus and Sprironoura petriea parasitic infestation and prevalence in Ethmalosa fimbriata , (Nematodes), Polyonchobothrium clariae (Cestode) and Chrysicththys nigrodigitaus and Sarotherodon Clinostomum clarias (Trematode) in Clarias anguillaris in melanothron in Lagos lagoon . The aim of this study is Onitsha area along River Niger. Nyaku et al . (2007) also provide