Comparative analysis of helminth parasites in catfishes

Abstract

This research investigates the prevalence of helminth parasites in freshwater catfish species, Clarias batrachus and Channa striatus, captured from Laharpur Dam, Bhopal. A total of 310 fishes were examined, revealing infection rates of 77.5% in Clarias batrachus and 58.95% in Channa striatus. The study explored the relationship between host size (length and weight) and helminth parasite infection. The significant variations were observed in prevalence, abundance, and infection indices across different length and weight classes for both fish species. Larger fish exhibited higher infection rates, and Chi-square tests demonstrated substantial differences in helminth prevalence among various groups. This research highlights the importance of considering host size in understanding helminth parasite dynamics in freshwater catfish populations.