SEASONAL SCREENING OF SOME ECTOCILIATE PARASITIC DISEASES IN AFRICAN CATFISH (CLARIAS GARIEPINUS) AT KAFR EL-SHEIKH AND DAKAHLIA GOVERNORATES
Eman M.M. Moustafa1 and Marwa F. Abd El-Kader2
1Department of Fish Diseases and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafr El-Sheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, Postal code: 33516, Egypt.
2Fish Health Department, Sakha, Aquaculture Research Unit, Central Lab. For Aquaculture Research- ARC, Egypt.
Abstract
Eight hundred specimens of African catfish (Clarias
gariepinus) from Kafr El-Sheikh and Dakahlia governorates, 100 fish per season/governorate, were investigated for seasonal incidence of some external ciliated protozoans. The results revealed the isolation of Ichthiophtherius multifilus, Chilodinella and Trichodina. In general, most examined fishes showed emaciation, pale or dark body coloration, excessive mucous secretion on the external body surface, scattered hemorrhagic patches, wounds and ulcers on different parts of the fish’s body as well as ascitis. The highest recorded rate of infestation was 20.5% in autumn and winter and 18.75% in spring and summer season in Kafr El-Sheikh fish farms. However, in Dakahlia fish farms, it was 20% in summer and winter, 18.5% in autumn and 18% in the spring season.
A higher infection rate of Ichthiophtherius
multifilus was observed in winter (50%) and summer (54% ) , Chilodenella
sp. during autumn (18%), and autumn, winter and spring (18%) and of Trichodina
sp. was (20%) for both in spring and summer , (22%) in winter; in Kafr El-Sheikh and Dakahlia governorates respectively. Moreover, some hematological and serum biochemical parameters were studied on the blood and sera of diseased fish. The histopathological alterations in the skin and gills of the infested fish were recorded.
Key words: Catfish, Clarias
gariepinus, Disease, Ectociliate, Screening
