Comparative Study of the Parasitic Helminth Burden of Clarias gariepinus and Tilapia zilli In Fresh Water Reservoir (Zobe Dam) Dutsin-Ma, Katsina, Nigeria

The incidence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites was investigated in a research of Clarias gariepinus and Tilapia zilli from Zobe Dam, Dutsin-ma. The results showed a high prevalence of helminth parasites overall, with T. zilli recording 36% and C. gariepinus showing a rate of 68%. Cestodes, trematodes, and nematodes were the three types of parasites found in the fish's intestines. Notably, trematodes predominated in T. zilli (54.55%), whereas cestodes were more common in C. gariepinus (62.71%). Procamallanus leavionchus was the most notable nematode species found in C. gariepinus, followed by cestodes (Polyonchobothrium clarias) and trematodes (Diplostomum spathaceum). The nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes in T. zilli were represented by Cacullanus sp., Diphyllobothrium spp., and Hepsetidae fasciatus, respectively. Both species showed that males had more helminth parasites than females did. In C. gariepinus, statistical analysis showed no gender differences, however in T. zilli, a gender difference was seen at the P<0.05% level of significance. In addition, the study found a statistically significant correlation between fish length and body weight, and the frequency of helminth infections. These results highlight the significant load of helminth parasites in both Clarias gariepinus and Tilapia zilli, highlighting the need for efficient control techniques to reduce the negative effects of parasitic illnesses on fish production.