Ectoparasite fauna of cultured African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822), El-Behera Province, Egypt

Abstract

During a recent investigation of parasites infesting cultured fishes, One hundred and fifty (150) cultured sharptooth African catfish, Clarias gariepinus were examined using routine parasitological techniques for better understanding the occurrence, distribution and diversity of ectoparasite infestations at Behera governorate (Egypt). Sampling was carried out between January and December 2014. It was found that the highest prevalence rate was for monogenean trematodes, (Gyrodactylus sp.) (30%), followed by three ciliate Protozoans; Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (20 %), Trichodina sp. (12%), and Epistylis sp. (8%). The average of the total ectoparasitic infestation in the examined catfish was 70%. There was no significant difference (P> 0.05) in parasitic infestation rate in male and female of C. gariepinus.