Gastro-intestinal parasites in African Mudcatfish (<i>Clarias Gariepinus</i>) of Ijebu Igbo Market, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was to identify gastro-intestinal parasites of Clarias gariepinus obtained from Ijebu Igbo, Ijebu-North Local Government Area of  Ogun State,  Nigeria. A total of 40 Clarias gariepinus were purchased from the market and  examined parasitologically for gastro-intestinal  parasites. The parasites were  identified using standard identification chart. Four (4) helminth parasites  comprising of 2  nematodes and 1 cestode and acanthocephala each were  isolated from the fish species. Organisms identified are majorly present in the  intestine are Procamallamus sp and Contracaeccum sp (nematoda), Caryophyllaeidae sp (Cestoda) and Neoechinorhynchus rutili    (Acanthocephala). The males had the highest percentage prevalence (21.7%) while the females had the least (11.8%) prevalence.  Conclusively, fishes from  Ijebu Igbo market should be adequately cooked to prevent the ingestion of gastro-intestinal parasites which  could lead to loss of body nutrients, anaemia,  ulcers, lesions, skin shredding, erratic behaviour and at times death in man.