Study on Internal Parasites of Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias gariepinus and Labeobarbus Fish Species in Lake Tana, Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2015 to April, 2016 at lake Tana, Ethiopia to determine common internal parasite species and their burden with expected predisposing factors on Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias gariepinus and Labeobarbus fish species. Three hundred eighty four randomly selected fish species (Oreochromis niloticus: 98, Clarias gariepinus: 85, and Labeobarbus: 201) were sampled and examined. All sampled fishes were dorsoventrally eviscerated and visualized. An overall species-specific prevalence of internal parasitic helminthes of 85.7%, 65.9% and 44.8 %, from Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias gariepinus and Labeobarbus fish species, respectively were recorded. Major internal parasites identified from different body parts of the examined fishes were Contracaecum (19.5%), Proteocephalus (9.6%), Bothriocephalus (7.6%), Camallanus (3.4%), Eustrongylides (3.6%), Ligulae intestinalis (2.6%), Clinostomum (1.6%), Euclinostomum (0.3%), and unidentified Cestodes (1.6%). Their burden was also determined in relation to each fish species. Thus, development of strategic control of parasites in fish and their prevention is recommended.