Lernaeid parasites prevalence in commercial freshwater fish species at various fish farms in Pakistan

Reports abound on Lernaea parasitizing the brood stock, fingerlings, and marketable-sized culturable freshwater fish species in various parts of the world. We investigated seven small-scale aquaculture farms and how the prevailing Lernaea is impacting them. Randomly seven fish farms were selected to determine the prevalence percentage of lernaeid ectoparasites. Relevant information of the fishponds to estimate the various aspects such as effects of water source and quality, feed, stocking density, treatment used, and weight and length of fish, concerned with Lernaea infestation and prevalence was gathered. The results indicated that Catla catla (F. Hamilton, 1822) showed highest prevalence (41.7%) among the seven fish species, whereas Oreochromis niloticus showed zero. Other five fish species Ctenopharyngodon idella, Cirrhinus cirrhosis, Cyprinus carpio, Labeo rohita and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix showed 13.2%, 8.1%, 7.7%, 7.4%, 0.9% prevalence, respectively. In Royal Fish Farm 84.3% lernaeid infestation was observed, while no parasite was observed in the Vicent’s Chunnian fish farm. The water source, quality, feed, fertilizers, stocking density, water temperature, and potential treatment options displayed varying tendencies among fish farms and prevalence. Depending on the weight and length, the highest prevalence (56.7%, and 66.7%) was observed in 3501-4000 g and 81-90 cm groups. The infestation rate varied in various fish body parts with the dorsal fin the most vulnerable organ and showed 2.3% overall prevalence (while 18.4% contribution within total 12.6% infestation). Out of 147 infected fish samples, 45 were extensively contaminated by Lernaea spread. In conclusion, our findings confirm that Lernaea could pose a considerable threat to marketable fish, and various treatment options should be educated to the farmers to help mitigate the spread and potential losses. Furthermore, Catla catla is more vulnerable to Lernaea infestation (41.7%), so are the fish species being cultured at higher stocking densities.

IKAN AIR TAWAR DI SUNGAI BATANG MUAR DESA SERAMI KABUPATEN MUKOMUKO

This study aimed to look at the inventory of freshwater fish species in the Batang Muar River, Serami Baru Village, Mukomuko Regency, Bengkulu. This study uses an exploratory descriptive research method by using a survey technique conducted by determining the point of observation. Determination of the location of the research is done by the method of purposive sampling. The samples obtained were grouped based on the same morphological characteristics and the number of each type was counted. Based on the results of the research, the results of the inventory of freshwater fish species in the Batang Muar River found 9 species consist of Oxyeleotris marmota, Angulia marmorata, Monopterus albus, Tor putitora, Labiobarbus leptocheilus, Mystacoleucus padanggensis, Osteochiolus vittatus, Chana striata and Schismatgobius ridawatiae.