Post-Ulcerative anaemia in Schizothorax niger Haeckel, caused by an ectoparasitic protozoan chilodenella spp.

Abstract

Effect of a ciliate protozoan Chilodonella spp. (ectoparasite), on some haematological parameters of Schizothorax niger were studied. Analyses of blood parameters (cell counts, haemoglobin content and haematocrit) were carried out on parasitized and unparasitized Schizothorax niger from a fish farm in Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir, India. Parasitized fish had significantly lowered erythrocyte counts, haematocrit and haemoglobin values and significantly increased leucocyte counts. Desquamation, necrosis of epithelial cells, ulceration and haemorrhages by this parasite thus produces a post-haemorrhagic anaemia and the fish appear to mount an immune response to the presence of these parasites.