ABSTRACT

The prevalence, mean intensity and abundance of fish parasites at Ikpa River in Akwaibom State of Nigeria were carried out in this research. Thirteen (13) species of fish belonging to seven orders and six families were collected. Among the fishes found were, Papyrocranus afer, Tylosorus crocodilus, Parachanna africana, Dalophis boulengeri, Clarias gariepinus, Tilapia zilli, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Oreochromis niloticus, Melapterurus electricus, Tilapia guineensis, Sarotheroron melanotheron, Chrysichthys aluuensis and Clarias anguillaris.  Classes of parasites identified were as follows: Cestoda, Nematoda, Trematoda, Acanthocephalans, Protozoans, Crustaceans and Digeneana trematoda. The parasites were noted to be attacking specific body areas of fish like eyes, intestine and muscles. However, among the parasites found were, in Class Cestoda: Diphyllobothrium latum and Proteocephalus species. In Class Nematoda: Contracaecum, Camallanus, Rhabdochona, Spinitectus, Philometra, Procamallanus and Capillaria species. In Class Trematoda: Clinostomum and Diplostomum species. Class Digenanea trematode: Neascus specie. Class Acanthocephalana: Leptorhynchoides, Corynosoma wegeneri, and Neochinorhynchus species. Class Protozoan: Ichthyophthirus multifiliis and Myxosoma cerebralis species. Class Crustacean: Ergasilus, Argulus, Lernaea cyprinacea and Cymothoa exigua species.  There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between the distribution, mean intensity, abundance and prevalence of parasites (1.419%) of fishes found in the River. There were no specific parasites associated with a particular fish. Some parasites like Diplostomun Species, were specifically found in the eyes of the fish, while others were predominantly found in organs like operculum, scales, eyes and muscles. There were more intestinal parasites found among the fishes than other parasites. Among the intestinal parasites are; Diphyllobothrium latum, Corynosoma wegeneri, Procamallanus, Proteocephalalus, Leptorhynchoides, Neochinorhynchus, Rhabdochona, philometra, Contracaecum, Spinitectus, Capillaria and Camallanus species. Among the parasites associated with flesh were Myxosoma cerebralis, ectoparasites Lernaea cyprinacea, Philometra and Argulus species. The gills were associated with Ichthyophthirus multifiliis, Neascus, Ergasilus and Cymothoa exigua species. While the scales and fins were habouring Argulus, Rhabdochona, Philometra and Clinostomum species. The high prevalence, abundance and mean intensity of parasites of Ikpa River could be due to anthropogenic activities. Moreover, the physicochemical parameters of the River are conducive for proliferation of the parasites in Ikpa River.