Asian-Pacific Aquaculture 2024

July 2 - 5, 2024

Surabaya, Indonesia

Add To Calendar 04/07/2024 13:40:0004/07/2024 14:00:00Asia/JakartaAsian-Pacific Aquaculture 2024STUDIES ON SOME BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS AND PREVALENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES OF Schilbe mystus FROM ZOBE RESERVOIR KATSINA STATE, NIGERIADiamond 3The World Aquaculture Societyjohnc@was.orgfalseDD/MM/YYYYanrl65yqlzh3g1q0dme13067

STUDIES ON SOME BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS AND PREVALENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES OF Schilbe mystus FROM ZOBE RESERVOIR KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA

*Abdulsalam Sani Nababa, Armaya’u Hamisu  Bichi,  and Gambo Aliyu Umar

Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University Dutsin-ma, Katsina

Email: naababa77@gmail.com



Biological aspects of an African Butter Catfish (Schilbe mystus) was studied from Zobe reservoir in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria between the April and July, 2023. A total of 240 fresh fish samples of Schilbe mystus were collected from fishermen at the research locations, fish samples were randomly collected weekly from three (3) selection locations from fish folk using various fishing gears (Long line, nets and Traps). Understanding the ecological aspects of this species is crucial for effective fisheries management and conservation efforts. This study was carried out to provide a baseline data of the biological characteristic of the specie by studying the feed and feeding habits, growth pattern, length-weight relationship, condition factor, and prevalence of intestinal parasite associated with the specie. The stomach score/fullness was observed using five scale of of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 representing Empty, &fraq14;, &fraq12;, &fraq34;, and full respectively. Results revealed that this species exhibits a diverse diet, primarily composed of aquatic insects, planktons, algae, and detritus. Their feeding activity displayed omnivorous, feeding on plant and animal materials. The length-weight relationship of S. mystus was examined using meter rule and sensitive scale and with the equation W = aLb, where ‘W’ represents weight, ‘L’ represents length, ‘a’ is the intercept, and ‘b’ is the exponent. The b values of 3.48, 3.37, and 3.37 for males, females, and combined samples respectively were obtained, indicating positive allometry growth pattern. The analysis also demonstrated a significant positive correlation between length and weight. The K factor was determined using the formula K = (W / L3) × 100. The average condition factor for the combined sexes, males and females was 0.71, 0.72, and 0.72 respectively, indicating that the species are thriving well in the reservoir. The endoparasitic fauna found (29.05%) were recovered mainly Gyrodactylus sp, Diplostomum  Spathaceum, Acanthosentis tilapiae and  Ascaris sp. Female fish samples had a comparatively greater number of  infestations  23(25.84%)  whereas  the  male  fish samples documented  11(39.28%) Schilbe mystus sampled obtained from Zobe indicated that fish samples within the length of 21-25 cm sheltered more parasites 20(74.07%), followed by 15.1-20.0cm 9(25.71%), while those within the length of 10-15 cm had smaller parasitic load 5 (9.09%). These findings can contribute to a better understanding of the biological attributes of this species and can be instrumental in the development of effective conservation and management strategies for sustaining its populations in African freshwater ecosystems