Occurrence and prevalence of parasites associated with Gnathonemus senegalensis in Apodu reservoir, Malete, Nigeria

The prevalence of ecto- and endo-parasites of Gnathonemus senegalensis (Trunkfish) was determined with the view of quantifying the helminthic burden in Apodu reservoir, Malete. A total of 150 fish of G. senegalensis were caught with gill nets and cast nets between November 2017 and April, 2018. The fish were transported to the Parasitology laboratory, Kwara state University Malete, for parasite examination. The result shows a prevalence rate of 42% (n=150) with Camallanus sp. and Capillaria sp. having prevalence rates of 11.1 % and 60.32%, respectively. Diphyllobothriumlatum, Acanthocephalan sp., Neascus sp., Tetrahymena sp. and Chilodonella sp. had the prevalence rates of 46.03%, 20.63%, 30.16%, 19.05% and 20.63%, respectively. The ranges of physico-chemical parameters of the water body were: temperature (26.4 -26.9 oC); conductivity (66 – 83 μs/cm); pH (7.54 - 7.98); transparency (110 -402 cm); water current (0.04 -0.42 m/s) and total dissolved solids (34 – 44 ppm). The findings suggest that the observed parasitic infections may adversely affect the economic value of G. senegalensis and if not well managed, could also infect human beings who consume the fish.