Ectoparasites of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in cage farming in a hydroelectric reservoir in Brazil

Author(s)

Zago, Aline Cristina ; Franceschini, Lidiane ; Garcia, Fabiana ; Canello Schalch, Sergio Henrique ; Gozi, Katia Suemi ; da Silva, Reinaldo Jose

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA; v. 23, n. 2, p. 8-pg., 2014-04-01.

Abstract

For this study, we performed a parasitological analysis of cage-cultured Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) from the Agua Vermelha Reservoir, Southeastern Brazil, and verified relationships with limnological data, seasonality, and fish growth phase. From March 2010 to March 2011, sixty-three specimens of O. niloticus in three growth phases (i.e., initial, intermediate, and final) were collected. All fish specimens were infested with at least one ectoparasite species (prevalence = 100%). Five species of protozoans (Trichodina compacta, Trichodina magna, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Piscinoodinium pillulare, and Epistylis sp.) and five species of monogenoids (Cichlidogyrus halli, Cichlidogyrus thurstonae, Cichlidogyrus sp. 1, Scutogyrus longicornis, and Gyrodactylus sp.) were observed. The abundance of Trichodina spp. and the prevalence of Epistylis sp. were higher in the dry season, and the prevalence of C. halli was higher in the rainy season. For the majority of ectoparasites found in this study, fish in the intermediate and final phases had higher parasitism rates than those in the initial phase. The data presented may help fish farmers to understand the parasite dynamics of the fish species studied in cage-farming systems. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/01424-0 - Parasitic and microbiological analyzes of Tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) cultivated in fish cage in the água Vermelha reservoir - SP and the inter-relations with limnological and fish production phase
• Grantee: Aline Cristina Zago
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master