COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF PARASITES AND BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH WILD AND CULTURED FISH IN SELECTED PARTS OF NIGER STATE

Abstract

ABSTRACT Parasites and pathogens in fishes are of great concern as they affect the host or consumers despite the high benefits of fish to man. This study assessed the parasites and bacteria infecting 5 different species of fish host over a period of 8 months to determine the prevalence of parasite and bacterial infection in the various fish host. Fish species include Clarias garinpius, Heteroclarias sp (hybrid), Lates niloticus, Mormyrus rume and Bagrus bayad, Fish specimen were collected using drag net, line and cast net. Sites examined for parasites were gill, stomach and intestine while the skin was examined for bacteria. Water samples were collected for determination of 10 water quality parameters. Results revealed significant variation in physicochemical parameters in both environments during the study period. Total hardness, conductivity, alkalinity and total dissolved solids contents varied significantly (p<0.05) across the months in both environments. There was significant monthly variation in body morphometries of the fish species throughout the collection period from both environments. Among the months, the highest microbial load was recorded in February 2020 (range = 94.75±49.73 to 131.80±7.36 x 106 CFU/g). Lowest microbial load was in August 2020 (range = 20.40±7.92 to 45.20±18.57 x 106 CFU/g). Analysis of parasites found in wild environment revealed significant (p<0.05) difference between parasite in fishes. Opisthorchis sp (21.49 %) was higher compared to other parasites species of which Trichodina sp (3.51 %) when the least of all. Capillaria sp from the ponds studied had higher percentage of infecting the fishes although pond B (58.33 %) recorded a little higher than pond A (50 %) followed by Camallanus sp with pond A (36.61 %) having higher percentage compared to pond B (16.67 %). C. gariepinus (75 %) had the highest number of parasite infection compare to Heteroclarias (25 %). This study revealed the presence of parasites and bacterial infection from the study areas which are indicators of potential organisms that can cause harm if not properly managed. Routen research is encouraged to monitor various water bodies either river, dam or pond in the State to reduce health risk, fish loss and economic loss.