Prevalence of parasitic infections in cichlids from Eleiyele River, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

The level of parasitic infestation of cichlids from Eleiyele river between January and April, 1998, was examined.  The only parasite encountered was the metacercariae of Clinostomum marginatum.  The parasites were found on the skin, around the eyes, paryngeal region, along the vertebral axis, the jaw areas, gills and mouth. The pattern of distribution of parasites in these areas was not regular as the metacercariae were most abundant on the skin, followed by the pharyngeal region. The prevalence of infection was 61.3% with malecichlids recording higher prevalence of infection than the female cichlids. The parasites were observed irrespective of the fish species. The sizes of the cysts fell between 2.5 mm and 3.0 mm. The body of the metacercariae worm was dorsoventrally flattened with no segmentation.