DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2019.v06i07.003

Pages: 176-182

An investigation was made on the prevalence and intensity of Contracaecum sp. in Otolithoides pama from the Bay of Bengal from June 2017 to January 2018. In this experiment prevalence and intensity of parasite, monthly and seasonal distribution of parasite, a variation of the parasite in relation to fish size and distribution of parasite on different organs of pama croaker fish were observed. Fishes of every sampling were divided into four subgroups and the weights of the fishes were divided into six classes. In this experiment, a total of 2,149 parasites were extracted from 119 fish. Highest prevalence (100%) was observed in June (251 parasites from 20 fishes), September (183 parasites from 20 fishes), October (878 parasites from 20 fishes) and the lowest (11 parasites from 3 fishes) (15%) in August. The intensity was highest in October (43.9) and lowest in August (3.67). Prevalence, intensity and abundance were highest during autumn and lowest in the rainy season. The prevalence and intensity of infestation of Contracaecum sp. were significantly (P<0.5) different in different months. The highest prevalence 100% (1061 parasites from 40 fishes), intensity (73.25), abundance (73.25) were observed in larger weight fishes (151-170gm). The lowest prevalence was found in 91-110(gm) weight groups of fishes. In case of intensity and abundance, both were lower in 71-90(gm) weight groups of fishes. The Contracaecum sp. was mainly found in the body cavity (70.45±24.45) but some were extracted from the stomach, intestine, liver and pancreas of fish. The mean count of parasite was highest from body cavity (70.45±24.45) in the larger weight fishes. So, the present study determined that O. pama is highly prevalent to Contracaecum sp. in Chattogram region. This parasitological investigation in Sciaenid fish could helps to prevent the transmission of diseases to human and other animals.