Parasites of <i>Oreochromis niloticus</i> (Trewavas) in Eleyele Dam, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

A survey on parasites of Oreochromis niloticus (tilapia) was carried out in Eleyele dam, Ibadan south west Nigeria. Standard parasitological procedures were applied in the study. Of the one thousand four hundred and eighty (1480) fish specimen examined, one thousand and sixty eight (1068) representing 72.16% were infested with different parasites. The parasites include Clinostomum piscidium, Trichodina sp., Myxosoma sarigi, Acanthugyrus tilapiae, Ichythobodo necator, Cichlidogyrus sp., Myxobolus sp., Cystacanthus tilapiae and Hirudinea species. Thirty seven percent (37%) of infested fish were mixed infestation while sixty three percent (63%) were infested by single parasite species. Seasonal pattern of parasites infestation was evident, the least infestation was recorded in September (47.62%) which is the peak of rainy season while the highest prevalence occurred in May (93.73%) the beginning of rainy season. An increase in the prevalence of parasite was also observed with an increase in total length of fish indicating the acquisition of parasite with age. However, there is no significant difference in the prevalence of parasitic infestation (P > 0.05) among the various size groups. This study on the parasites of feral O. niloticus will help in developing adequate control measures for the parasites in tilapia fish farming.