Comparative study of ectoparasites on Nile tilapia (<i>Oreochromis niloticus</i>) cultured under integrated and unintegrated pond systems

Abstract

A survey of occurrence of ectoparasites on Oreochromis niloticus (Linneaus) in a fish-cum-piggery pond and a pond stocked with fish only was carried out at the African Regional Aquaculture Centre, Aluu near Port-Harcourt. There was occurrence of ectoparasites from fish samples collected in both systems. Monogenean trematodes (83.8 and 79.8%), Protozoa (15.9 and 19.7%) and Copepods (0.3 and 0.5%) were found in integrated and unintegrated ponds respectively. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the incidence of these ectoparasites on O. niloticus obtained from the two pond systems. However, rank correlation analysis revealed a higher level of fish parasitic infestation in the integrated pond compared to the unintegrated pond. The regular piggery waste supply to the integrated pond probably facilitated the propagation of the parasites.

Keywords: Oreochromis niloticus, parasites, organic manure, pond culture, comparative study

African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(19), pp. 2711-2714