Ectoparasites Associated With The Nile Squeaker (Synodontis Schall) From Otuogori River In Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
- May 8, 2021
- Posted by: rsispostadmin
- Categories: Applied Science, Fisheries Technology, IJRIAS
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume VI, Issue III, March 2021|ISSN 2454-6194
Chinonye O. Ezenwaka and Chidinma C. Amuzie
Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Abstract – The Nile Squeaker, Synodontis schall, is one of the valuable fish food for the inhabitants of Otuogori community, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. This study investigated the ectoparasites associated with Synodontis schall from Otuogori River, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A total of 40 Samples were examined following standard laboratory techniques for ectoparasites in the skin, gill, eyes and fin. Result of this study showed that out of the 40 fishes examined, 1 (2.5%) was infected. Female fish sample with actual length ranging from 15-19.9 cm was the only infected sample with 50% prevalence. The only infected fish weighed between 50-100g. The parasites recovered were found in the skin, gills, eyes and fin, and included Trichodina species, Chilodenella species and Gyrodactylus species. Trichodina species was the most abundant parasite, recovered from the eyes, gills and skin while Chilodenella species and Gyrodactylus species appeared once in the skin and fin, respectively. However, to eliminate the risk of zoonosis, fish consumed should be properly washed with clean water and cooked. Further study on the physicochemical parameters of the river should be conducted in order to ascertain their impact on the prevalence of ectoparasites of fishes.
Keywords- Synodontis schall, Otuogori River, Trichodina, Chilodenella, Gyrodactylus, ectoparasites
I. INTRODUCTION
The Nile squeaker, Synodontis schall, belonging to the family Mockokidae is a species of catfish found in Africa. It is one of the valuable food fish for the inhabitants of Otuogori. This is attributed to its excellent taste and meat quality [1]. According to [1], S. schall is rich in moisture, dry matter, protein, lipid, vitamins, minerals and caloric value, thereby increasing its acceptability and demand by fish consumers. This species is also popularly used in tropical aquaria due to its upside-down swimming nature [2]. Synodontis are highly cherished in Bayelsa State and its environments because of its bony head and fleshy body, which usually attract lovers of common “pepper soup” [3].
Parasites represent one of the most hazardous threats to fish health; they attacking the fish and causing massive destruction of the skin as well as other parts of the body thereby increasing their susceptibility to secondary infections,
