Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites of Malapterurus electricus from Anambra River, Nigeria

Aim: One of the constraints of fish in the wild for sustainable productivity is parasitic infections. The study was carried out to determine the gastrointestinal helminth parasites associated with Malapterurus electricus and their prevalence in relation to sex and size.

Study Design: The study was a survey done to establish the type of gastrointestinal helminth parasites found in M. electricus.

Place and Duration of Study: The specimens were collected from Anambra River between August and December 2018.

Methodology: A total of thirty-two (32) fishes were examined through dissection and observation of the alimentary canal under the objective lens of the microscope. The chi-square test was employed to determine the possible association between parasite prevalence, the sexes, and size.
Results: The overall prevalence of parasites was 56.25%. The parasites recovered were, Electrotaenia malapteruri (50.00%) and Tenuisentis niloticus (6.25%). The male specimens (18) recorded a prevalence of 66.67% while the female (14) recorded a prevalence of 42.86%. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths among gender (P=0.178, P>0.05). The length group, 30 – 39cm had a 100% prevalence. Thus, a significant difference between the fish size and parasite prevalence was observed. The weight groups, 100 -199g, and 400 - 499g also had a 100% prevalence. However, no significant relationship was observed between fish weight and parasite prevalence. The intestine was infected with parasitic worms of the cestode and acanthocephalan species.

Conclusion: This study showed that there is high prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites in M. electricus and this may possibly affect the fish quality.