Evaluating the parasite infestation and condition factor analysis in Gangetic fishes in the Kanpur region

Abstract

The Ganga River in Kanpur is India's vital river with a diverse fish population. The present study assessed the parasite fauna and morphological studies of different freshwater fishes of the Ganga River in three sampling sites, Kanpur, Kannauj and Farrukhabad. Forty of each sample of Channa punctatus and Heteropneustes fossilis were collected from different sampling sites and examined for parasite infection. C. punctatus was found to be infected by the protozoan parasite genus Trypanosoma. H. fossilis, was not infected with any parasite. Length and weight of fish were measured and Condition Factor (K) was analyzed which revealed maximum variation in Kannauj, while Farrukhabad district showed minimal variation in condition factor.The study found that Kanpur and Kannauj fish species are in good health, whereas Farrukhabad fish species are in poor health, emphasising the importance of monitoring fish health and environmental conditions.