COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PARASITIC INFESTATION OF POND AND CAGE CULTURED NILE TILAPIA Oreochromis niloticus IN THE LAKE VICTORIA CRESCENT, UGANDA

      Background

• Aquaculture intensification has led to increased parasitic disease occurrences
• Despite efforts, parasite burden has continued.
• Culture systems provide different habitats and environmental conditions to fish parasites.
• Understanding parasitic infestation dynamics in these systems may provide better sanitary and farm management strategies.

Materials and methods 

• 18 Pond grow-out, 9 Cage grow-out (lake), 2 Cage grow-out (reservoir) & 2 Hatchery farms visited
• 640 Nile tilapia examined for parasites
• Farm management data collected

Statistical analysis

• Infestation levels- Prevalence (P), Mean intensity (Mi) & Mean abundance (Ma)
• Comparison of Prevalence (P) in culture systems-Chi-square test of association
• Relationship between Parasitic Infestation & Farm Management-Fisher’s Exact Test

Discussion & conclusion

• Infestation rate of 65% (418/640) > Akol et al. (2011)
• Trichodina-most prevalent & abundant→Akol et al. (2011)→Poor water quality
• ≥11 parasite genera in Pond & Hatchery; ≤5 genera in Cage (lake) & Cage (reservoir)→ Land based systems  favour parasites more.
• Higher infestation in Pond than in Cage (lake) was associated with all management→ 
• Poor  management increases parasite burden