A comparative study of gut helminths of <I>Tilapia zilli</I> and <I>Clarias gariepinus </I>from River Uke, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

A comparative study of the gut helminths of Tilapia zilli and Clarias gariepinus from river Uke in Plateau State, Nigeria was carried. A total of 100 fishes comprising of 60 T. zilli and 40 C. gariepinus were examined for helminth parasites. The parasites encountered include Camallanus sp., Crepedostomum meteocus, Procamallanus laeviconchus, Proteocephalid sp., and Sphaerostoma bramae. A total of 61% of the T. zilli were found to be infected with one parasite or the other while 55% of C. gariepinus were infected. Chi-square test confirmed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in infection rate between the two species, although no significant difference was observed between the males and females of the two different fish species.


Key words: Gut Helminths, Tilapia zilli, Clarias gariepinus, Plateau State, Nigeria


Journal of Aquatic Sciences Vol.17(2) 2002:137-139