Endoparasitic fauna of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Lacepede, 1802) in the new Calabar river, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study on the endoparasitic fauna of 50 species of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus in the New Calabar River was implemented. 50 specimens were examined in the laboratory for endoparasites using the formolether concentration method. The study revealed a low parasitic prevalence of seven (7) endoparasites found in the internal organs (heart, kidney, liver and gastrointestinal tracts). The intestine had the highest 4(40.0%) parasites, followed by the heart 3(30.0%), the liver 3(30.0%) and the kidney was parasite free. Sex related pattern of infection (p>0.05) showed that the females had more infection 9(90.0%) than the males 1(10.0%) and was attributed to physiological preference of parasites. However, the size class related prevalence showed an increase in parasitic infections in bigger specimens than the smaller ones, depicting that there was multiple infections as the fish moved about and grew bigger. Although no zoonotic parasites were found, it is advisable to properly cook the fish before consumption.