Survey of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Clarias Gariepinus Burchoil 1822 at River Amba, Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Fish are a vital protein source for both humans and animals in tropical regions. Consuming undercooked fish infested with parasites such as nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes can lead to human debility. To assess the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites, 100 Clarias gariepinus were acquired and examined from April to July 2021 in the Zoology Laboratory 1 at Nasarawa State University, Keffi. Out of these samples, 50 were found to be infected, yielding a total of 65 parasites. The parasites identified included Diphyllobothrium latum (45.15%), Ascaris spp. (15.39%), Paralecithodendrium chilostomum (15.39%), and Glossidium pedatum (23.08%). Infection rates did not significantly differ between male and female fish. The most commonly infected organ was the stomach (46.15%), followed by the intestine (30.77%), the esophagus (15.38%), and the rectum (7.69%). There was no significant variation in parasite prevalence across different sections of the gastrointestinal tract or in relation to the standard length of the fish, with the highest infection rate (62.75%) occurring in fish measuring 30-39 cm. The presence of gastrointestinal parasites can significantly reduce the productivity of the fish studied. High parasite incidence remains a significant challenge for the successful economic development of fish farming. It is advisable to thoroughly cook or heat all fish before consumption, as some endoparasites capable of zoonosis were found in the Amba River and can be transmitted to humans through partially cooked fish.