Parasitic infestation on different regions of Tilapia mossambica collected from Kayamkulam Estuary, Kerala

Abstract

The present study reports parasitic infestation on different regions of Tilapia mossambica, an economically important food fish from Kayamkulam estuary, a shallow brackish water lagoon for a period of one year from November 2014 – October 2015. A total of 240 host fishes were examined, of which 36 hosts were found to be infected. 8 species of parasites were collected, comprising of Ergasilus sp., Dermoergasilus hoi, Caligus longipedis, Cystoopsis, Tantulocardian, Metacercaria, Argulus sp. and Lepeophtheirus sp. The parasitological terms like prevalence and mean abundance were calculated to determine the abundance of parasitic species. The prevalence of parasitic infestation was 15% and the mean abundance of parasites was 1.07.The highest infestation were observed in the gills and lowest infestation in the intestine. Gills are the favorite site for the attachment of many fish parasites. The ecto parasites dominate the parasitic community and majority of parasites were seen on the gills of the host fish. Parasitic diseases in fishes seriously limit aquaculture production and its economic viability.