Asian-Pacific Aquaculture 2024

July 2 - 5, 2024

Surabaya, Indonesia

PREVALENCE OF BLOOD PARASITES Trapanosoma spp. IN NILE TILAPIA Oreochromis niloticus (LINNAEUS, 1758) FROM ZOBE RESERVOIR, KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA

*Sadauki, M. A., Dauda, A. B . & Badamasi , M.

Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria.

 *Corresponding authors’ email: masadauki@fudutsinma.ed.ng

Phone: +234 8076501743



The study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of blood parasites, specifically Trypanosoma spp, in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1758) from Zobe Reservoir, Katsina State. A total of 108  Nile tilapia  from  the four major landing sites of the reservoir, comprising male and female were purchased between July and September 2023 . T he fish were transported alive to the fish biology laboratory, Federal University Dutsin -Ma, for the blood parasites collection and examination. Sampled fish were measured for length and weighed. The study employed a microscopic examination of blood smears , to accurately identify and characterize t he Trypanosoma species present.  Microscopic examination revealed the presence of Trypanosoma parasites in a significant  proportion of the sampled fish.  Blood parasites were identified and  counted. Male samples had higher per cent of infestation (6.82%) than female samples (5.00%). The highest prevalence was recorded in samples location C while the lowest was recorded in sample location B. Experimental fish ( O. niloticus) samples obtained from samples location A were free from trypanosome, this could be due to the absence of leeches in the samples location. In conclusion, Oreochromis niloticus obtained from Zobe reservoir were infected by blood parasites (Trypanosoma spp ) that are  of economic importance . The findings sugge st that the observed parasitic infections may badly affect  in Nile tilapia populations in Zobe Reservoir.