EFFECTS OF AGE AND SEASON ON PREVALANCE OF HELMINTHS OF FAMILY Cichlidae IN SABIYEL LAKE, ALIERO, NIGERIA

Abstract

The research was carried out from July, 2020 to June, 2021 to assess the effects of age, sex and season on the prevalence of helminths and condition factor of the family Cichlidae in Sabiyel Lake. Four Cichlids Species Sarotherodon galilaeus (Linnaeus, 1758), Hemichromis fasciatus, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758), and Hemichromis bimaculatus belonging to three genera: Sarotherodon, Hemichromis and Oreochromis were sampled in Sabiyel Lake. Out of 480 randomly selected Cichlids specimens examined, 192 (40%) were infested with one or more helminths parasites. The worm’s prevalence rate of infection was highest in Sarotherodon galilaeus with Capillaria sp. (112), Contracaecum sp. (54) and Clinostomum sp. (8). The Oreochromis niloticus was infested with 18 Capilaria sp only and there were no helminths infestation recorded in Hemichromis fasciatus and Hemichromis bimaculatus. However, significant difference was found between the prevalence of helminth parasitic infection and age of the Cichlids species examined (P<0.05). Adult Cichlids were found to be more parasitized than juveniles and young specimens. Similarly, there is an association between the prevalence of helminth parasitic infection and the season. The young males Cichlids specimens in Sabiyel Lake should be preferred and sourced during the dry season period due to lower helminth parasitic infection.