Third stage lanae of Contracaccuin species in catfish (Clariasgariepinus) from Gaborone dam, Botswana

Abstract

A study was conducted with the aim of establishing the type of internal parasites in catfish (Claris gariepinus) as well as the infection intensity. Ten catfish {Clarius gariepinus) specimens collected from the Gaborone Dam in Botswana were examined for internal parasites in August to November 2007. Eighty percent (80%) of these fish were found to be infected with third-stage larvae of Contracaecum spp in the abdominal cavity. The intensity of the infection was 14 to 250 worms per fish (mean intensity = 60.3 ± 9.70). The mean length of third-stage larvae was 14.25 ±3.28 to 35.88 ±4.96 with a range of 10 to 42min. No significant difference between host size and prevalence was established. Contracaecum species an anisakine nematode is potentially zoonotic. The public health implications of infected catfish arc discussed.