CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Fish is a rich source of protein and contains lipids, mineral oils, and vitamins. They have a

remarkable impact on the lives of many individuals and communities, as a major source of

relatively cheap and affordable animal protein (Ashade et al., 2013). A product of fish aside from

fish meal is fish oil which contains omega-3-essential fatty acid necessary for the proper

functioning of the brain, heart and immune system (Eyo et al., 2014).

Globally, there has been tremendous increase in the development of fish farming and culture

attributable to the increased need for affordable animal protein especially in the tropics (Ogbu et

al., 2019). Fishing is one of the main reasons communities settles around water bodies. As these

communities settle around the water bodies, they are known to participate in changing the

ecology of the water (Adamu et al., 2018).

The African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) belongs to the family Clariidae. It main habitats are

calm lakes, rivers, and swamps in areas that flood seasonally. In it natural range, it is

omnivorous, feeding on planktons, plant material, arthropods, mollusks, fish, reptiles and

amphibians (Alfa et al., 2014). In the Nigeria aquaculture industry, African catfish give a

significant impact because of its rapid growth rate, easy cultivation and good market potential, It

is often sold live in the market at a low price. For the past few decades, Clarias gariepinus has

grown massively, becoming the highest produced finfish cultured in Nigeria both in fresh and

brackish water (Alfa et al., 2014). The omnivorous feeding habit of the fish (Clarias gariepinus)

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makes it highly resistant to environmental stress but could also serve a potential for parasitic

infection (Ugbu et al., 2019).

According to the Federal Department of Fisheries FDF (2013), the fisheries sub-sector has made

significant contributions to Nigeria's economy more importantly, in the face of the ongoing Agricultural

Transformation Agenda. About five percent (5%) of Nigerian GDP has been accounted for by the

fisheries sub-sector, significantly through the export of shrimps. Fisheries contribute to national food

security, employment-creation, income-generation, poverty alleviation and foreign exchange earnings

among others.

According to the value chain analysis conducted by FISH4ACP and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture

and Rural Development, Nigeria’s aquaculture production of catfish amounted to an estimated 1 260

000 tons in 2019. Some 80% of that production comes from the ponds of around 2.5 million subsistence

farmers. They use roughly half of it for their own consumption and sell the other half to boost their

family income (FAO, 2023).

Parasites are capable of causing harm to fish hosts notwithstanding the species, either through

injury to the tissues or organs in the process of burrowing or consuming food or the removal of

digested food in the gut of the fish as well as the secretion of proteolysis enzymes (Omeji et al.,

2011). Among fish parasites, protozoans, occupy a very important sector as one of the hazardous

threats to fish health. These parasites attack the fish, causing massive destruction of skin and gill

epithelium. Even moderate infection of these organisms on small fish may prove a fatal disease,

since the infection may cause the fish to stop feeding (Ogbu et al., 2019). Protozoan parasites

cause serious losses in fishponds in Nigeria and their lesions render the fish unmarketable. Fish-

carrying protozoan parasites are capable of passing on the infective disease to man after its

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consumption (Ogbu et al., 2019; Omeji et al., 2011). Parasitic diseases of fish are very common

all over the world and are of particular importance in the tropics (Soliman and Nasr, 2015).

Idowu and Anthony (2022) reported high occurrence of protozoa parasites in the C. gariepinus

samples examined in their study. Different fish parasites from fresh water have been reported

to have zoonotic potential if eaten raw or partially cooked (Markus et al., 2012; Ali and Reza,

2018). The major groups of fish parasites that are known to be zoonotic in nature are also

reported by Ali and Reza (2018).

Many fishes have been found to have many protozoans, helminths, nematodes, and bacteria

which are either ecto or endoparasites. These parasites are known to affect fish health, growth,

and survival. The effect of parasites on fish includes nutrient devaluation, alteration of biology

and behavior, lowering of immune capability, induction to blindness, morbidity, mortality,

fecundity reduction, and mechanical injuries depending on the parasite species and the load (El-

Asely et al., 2015).

1.1 Statement of the Problem

Parasitic protozoans are associated with C. gariepinus in the wild and cultured environments

where they cause morbidity, mortality, and economic losses in various parts of the world.

1.2 Justification

Clarias gariepinus is one of the most consumed, widely accepted, and highly valued fish in

Nigeria. Therefore, the need for documented research on parasitic protozoan which might

constitute serious problems for this fish cannot be over-emphasized.

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1.3 Aim of the Study

The study is aimed at assessing the prevalence and intensity of gut protozoan parasite of wild

catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in the Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State.

1.4 Objectives of the Study

1. To detect the presence of gut protozoan parasites of wild catfish in the study area

2. To identify and determine the intensity of this parasite in the host tissue

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 MATERIALS AND METHOD

3.1 Materials

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Catfish, weighing balance, normal saline, Petri dishes, microscope, and Giemsa stain.

3.2 Description of the Study Area

Idah is a town in Kogi State (Guinea savanna), Nigeria, on the eastern bank of the Niger River in

the middle belt region of Nigeria. It is the head-quarter of the Igala Kingdom, and also a Local

Government Area with an area of 36 km2. Idah had a population of 79,815 at the 2006 census.

Modern Idah remains a major trading centre (palm produce, yams, cassava, rice, maize, fish) at

the Ega market around the River Niger. The inhabitant of this land also engage in fishing

activities in the lower Niger river at Idah, Kogi State.

3.3 Study Methodology

3.3.1 Sample Collection Procedure

Five sampling sites were selected (Ega market, Ajachadu market, Onah market, Ayija market,

Aja-orponofe market) based on the fishing activity and availability of fishes. The sampling sites

were listed with their GPS location. A total of three hundred (300) live wild catfish (Clarias

gariepinus) were gotten randomly from those sources in Idah and examined for the presence of

gut protozoan infections in September, 2023. Fish specimens of both sexes and with an average

body weight of 200 to 350 g was transferred alive in polyethylene bags to the laboratory for

further investigation (Idowu et al., 2023).

3.3.2 Sample Examination.

A cut was made on the ventral side of the fish from the anal opening to the lower jaw using dissecting

scissors to expose the body cavity and the internal organs. The gastro-intestinal tracts were examined by

cutting the fish sample through the oesophagus to the anus. The stomach and intestine were separated and

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kept in different sample plates containing 0.9% saline solution. The contents of the stomach and intestine

were washed in the normal saline solution for sedimentation and flotation. A drop of the residue was

placed on the slide, and stained using Giemsa staining technique for protozoa parasite. Parasites

were collected and fixed in buffered 5% formalin for further identification (Idowu and Anthony,

2022). The microscopic examination was carried out using ×10 and ×40 magnification . Protozoan

parasites was identified based on their morphology and staining characteristics. The number of protozoan

parasites present in the gut was quantified using standard counting techniques (Tukura et al., 2022)

3.4 Data Analysis

Data was analyzed using simple descriptive statistics with the aid of SPSS.

References

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prevalence of parasites in Oreochromisnilocticusfrom three selected river system.
Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, 8(1):115—121.

El-Asely, A. M., El-Gawad, E. A., Soror, E. I., Amin, A. A., Shaheen, A. A. (2015). Studies on
some parasitic diseases in Oreochromisniloticusfish hatchery with emphasis to life
stages. J Adv. Vet. Res., 5(3):99—108.

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Eyo, J. E., Ejere, V. C., Aguzie, O. I., Ivoke, N., Ekeh, F. N., Ezenwaji, N. E et al. (2014).
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