Helminth parasites of Clarias gariepinus and Tilapia zilli at Lamingo dam, Jos, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study was undertaken to the determine species diversity of fishes, the level of parasitic infections and the relationship between infection and length/weight of fishes at the Lamingo dam, Plateau State, Nigeria. The work was conducted between May-August, 2008, using drag net and the catch transferred into plastic container and and transported to the laboratory where dissection was carried and examined microscopically. Three classes of parasites were recovered from both Clarias gariepinus and Tilapia zilli. A total of 399 parasites were recovered comprising 188 nematodes, 131 cestodes and 80 trematodes. A significant difference was observed in the parasite burden of the two fishes.

KEYWORDS: Helminth parasites, fresh-water fishes, Lamingo dam, Jos-Nigeria.