Prevalence of Gut Helminth Parasites of Clarias gariepinus in Lake Abu’ja, Dekina LGA, Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the distribution and prevalence of gut helminth parasites in Clarias gariepinus African
Catfish from Lake Abu’ja, located in Ojofu-Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria.
The study involved examining 162 fish samples obtained from local fishermen between March and August 2024,
covering both dry and rainy seasons. The gut helminth parasites identified in the fish included cestodes
Monobothrium sp., Diphyllobothrium sp., trematodes Diplostomum sp., and nematodes Procamallanus sp.,
Capillaria sp.. The results revealed an overall infection rate of 56.79%, with cestodes being the most prevalent
group 46.94%, followed by nematodes 40.75% and trematodes 12.24%. The study also identified a significant
association between parasite prevalence and fish sex, with females exhibiting higher infection rates 67.14% than
males 48.91%. Additionally, fish size and weight were correlated with infection rates, with smaller fish showing
higher susceptibility. Parasites were more abundant in the intestine compared to the stomach. The findings
underscore the zoonotic potential of these parasites, especially Capillaria sp ., which is of particular public health
concern due to its transmission via undercooked fish. This study provides crucial baseline data for future research
on parasitic infections in aquaculture and wild fisheries and offers recommendations for better management
practices to control parasitic diseases in aquaculture systems.