Nematode Parasites Of The Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus, Linnaeus, 1758) And The Sharptooth Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus, Burchell, 1822) In Lower Umguza Dam

ABSTRACT

The study sought to determine abundance and species of nematode parasites of Oreochromis tilapicus and Clarias gariepinus in Lower Umguza Dam,in the Gwayi catchment area. Fish samples were collected from fishermen and sent to the laboratory for observation and identification using standard parasitological methods and identification guides. 479 nematode parasites were recovered from 160 fish belonging to 2 species; Oreochromis tilapicus and Clarias gariepinus. Four nematode genera; Paracamallunus sp., Eustrongylides sp., Contracaecum sp., and some unidentified nematodes parasites were recovered. Of the 160 host fish samples collected, 78.1% had nematode infections. 43.8% of the nematode parasites recovered were from Nile tilapia and 56.2% from Sharp-tooth catfish. Parasite abundances differed significantly (P