| Popis: |
A survey of ectoparasites of three species of fish (Oreochromis niloticus, Auchenoglanis occidentalis and Bagrus bayad) of River Benue was carried out for a period of three weeks. Samples were collected directly from fishermen, at the river side (River Benue) in a plastic bucket and were carried to the laboratory. A smear samples from the skin were taken. Fins were cuted and gills were dissected and examine individually in saline solution in a Petri dish and platyhelminthes parasites as the most common ectoparasites of threes three species (Oreochromis, Auchenoglanis, and Bagrus). A total number of five hundred and seventy two (572) parasites were observed. Result of this study reveals that the large number of parasites were found on the gills (65%) of the three fish species studied, compared to skin (16%) and fins (19%) of the total parasites observed; among the three fish species studied. O. niloticus carries 33% while A. occidentalis carries 41% and B. bayad carries 26% of the total parasites seen. There was negligible difference in the level of infestation in the sexes (i.e. male and female) of Oreochronis and Bagrus. However, a great significance difference in the level of infestation was found in the sexes of Auchenoglanis |
