Bacterial and helminth bioload of cultured Channa obscura fish

An investigation of the bacterial and helminth fuana of organs of diseased and healthy African snake head fish (Channa obscura) from Nigeria Agip Green River project, River State, Nigeria was undertaken. The intestine, skin, fin, gill, tissue and liver of the fish were examined for both bacterial and helminth load. The results indicated that the bacterial load of the diseased fish samples were higher than those of the apparently healthy fish. Identification tests of the probable isolates revealed the isolation of the following genera: Aeromonas, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Lactobacillus, Pseudomonas, Campylobacter, Proteus, Serratia, Staphyloccocus, Yersinia and Vibro sp. Whereas helminth fauna isolated were Camallanus sp., Capillaria sp., Acetodoxtra sp., Chimostomum sp, Diphostomum sp. and Polyonchobethium sp. Percentage helminth infestation was found to be higher in adults than sub-adults and juveniles, while the percentage prevalence of the helminth infections amongst the fishes examined was found to be 41%. Helminth infection therefore varies amongst age groups. This study reveals the bacteria and load of cultured Channa obscura Key words: Bioload, helminths, Bacteria, Cultured fish Journal of Aquatic Sciences Vol.18(2) 2003: 93-100