Comparative Studies on Parasitic Burden of the African Catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) and the Cichlid Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) Under Polyculture Conditions

This study was conducted at the Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Farm, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, to compare the parasitic burden of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Cichlid (Oreochromis niloticus) under polyculture conditions. Among 15 Clarias gariepinus examined, Protozoa recorded the highest infection rate (100%), followed by Crustacea (80%), bacteria (40%), fungi (26.70%), helminths (20%), and Annelida (13.33%). Among 14 Oreochromis niloticus examined, Protozoa recorded an infection rate of 93.3%, followed by Crustacea (60.0%), helminths (33.3%), fungi (16.7%), and Annelida (6.67%), while no bacterial infection was recorded. Comparative analysis showed significant differences (P<0.05) in the infection rates of the six parasite taxa between the two fish species, except for Protozoa. The findings indicate that both fish species harbour diverse parasitic taxa under polyculture conditions, with Clarias gariepinus generally exhibiting a higher parasitic burden than Oreochromis niloticus.