PARASITOSIS IN CLARIAS GARIEPINUS AND ITS RELATION TO SOME ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN ASSIUT GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Fish like any other organisms, are susceptible to ecto & endo-parasites, which have a risky impact in aquaculture specially those because skin infection with secondary bacterial infection. This study estimated the parasitic infections in freshwater Catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) in Assiut Governorate, and evaluated environmental factors affecting them. A total of 100 samples of different sexes and sizes were randomly collected weekly over one year from different localities in Assiut City. The fish were examined parasitological for ecto-parasites and dissected for endo-parasites as well as histopathological examination of muscles. The results showed an overall parasitic rate of 82%. Ecto-parasites were Gyrodactylus , Dactylogrus , Henneguya and Icthyophthirius multifiliis (2%, 8%, 2% & 5%) respectively, while endoparasites were trematode (Orientocreadium batrachoides 26% ), cestode ( Polyochobothrium clarias and Monobothrioides 6% & 21% respectively), nematode ( Paracamallanus spp. 12%), encysted metacercaria (66%) and protozoa ( Entamoeba spp. 15%). The variation between the parasitic number length, weight, and sex seasonally were statistically analyzed.