Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

HELMINTH PARASITES OF MOCHOKID Synodontis resupinatus IN A FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEM IN THE LOWER NIGER RIVER, KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

ADEYEMI OO,TOLUHI OO

The isolation and identification of helminth parasites of Synodontis resupinatus and; Length – weight relationship of the fish in the lower Niger (Idah), Nigeria were carried out in order to describe the pattern of occurrence of the helminth and to establish the well-being of the host fish. 112 randomly fish samples were obtained from fishermen and transported to the Biological Science Laboratory, Kogi State University, Anyigba for analysis. Fish skin, fins, eyes, anus, intestinal organs, buccal and opercula cavities were cut open and placed in 0.9% physiological saline and examined under a dissection microscope. Helminthes recovered were counted and preserved in 0.9% saline solution and kept overnight in the refrigerator to enable them stretch and relax. Five genera of helminthes were isolated and identified namely, Capillaria (11.6%), Camallanus (17.7%), Contracaecum (11.6%) and Posthodiplostomum (59.1%) with prevalence rate of 26.4% respectively. The standard length and weight were taken to ascertain the general wellbeing of the fish in the water body. The length weight relationship of the fish revealed that the specie exhibit positive allometric growth. The need for seeds from the wild to be evaluated for the presence of helminth parasites prior to use and periodically during culture practice is also stressed.

Published Date: 2014-10-02;