Parasitic Infestation and Restoration of Ornamental <i>Trichogaster fasciata</i> (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) due to Aquatic Pollution in Tamluk, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India

In the ornamental fish market, there is a high demand of the Trichogaster fasciata (Bloch and Schneider,1801) for the aquarium purpose due to its attractive colour combination. But at present, banded gourami fishes are abolishing day by day and placed under the least concern in IUCN red list of threatened species. Diseases are one of the chief cause for the extinction of this fish from the universe. Helminth parasites are the main reasons behind the scenario. It is found that two infectious helminth parasites are identified from the fish body. The trematode helminth parasite, Clinostomum complanatum is more (61.66 %) infectious than the Acanthocephala, Pallisentis sp. (25%). They attack mostly in their favourable specific sites which are peritoneal wall of body cavity and the intestine respectively. The female striped gourami are more (82.50%) susceptible against the infection of the helminth pathogen than the male fishes (40%). The large group (7.1-10.0 cm) of the Kholshe fishes are the highest (73.33%) susceptible followed by the medium (4.1-7.0) and small (<4.0 cm.) group that are 50% and 26.66% respectively. The abundance of pathogens is the highest in the summer season (76.66%) followed by rainy (53.33%) and winter (36.66%) due to aquatic pollution and temperature. T his type of hazardous helminth invasions in Kholshe fishes are one of the leading factors behind the extinction of Kholshe fishes. The remedy is to initiate immediate action plan to restore this ornamental fish as before which is very essential to maintain ecological sustainability and for the welfare of the animal society.