Study of Parasitary Fauna in Tilapia of Fish Cultures in the Distrito Federal

Abstract

Objective: This article discusses the parasitic fauna found in tilapia, the most produced in the DF, collected in fish farms and presents an analysis of water quality, a relative condition factor and the influence of seasonality on the average abundance of parasites.   Methodology: For each acquisition campaign, ten fish were collected from each visited fish farm, totaling 180 sampled fish. The fish were collected by fishing nets with mesh 14 and transported in thermal boxes, with each specimen properly packed in a plastic bag, to ensure protection during transport to the Aquaculture Laboratory of the University of Brasília (AcquaUnB).   Results and Conclusion: In the two acquisition campaigns, parasitism by Trichodina sp., Monogenoids, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and Apiosoma sp. Infestations by Trichodina sp. presented higher prevalence and average intensity than other parasites in general, followed by infections by Monogenoides, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and Apiosoma sp, respectively. The average abundance of Trichodina sp., monogenenoids, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and Apiosoma sp. showed a positive correlation with temperature and the concentration of ammonium and phosphate in fish farm water. On the other hand, the average abundance of parasites showed a negative correlation with the levels of dissolved oxygen and nitrate concentration. The ectoparasites found do not directly affect human health. There was a significant difference between the average abundance of parasites found in fish collected in the months of February and August, so that the highest parasitic rates were observed in February, when there is greater rainfall in the Federal District and when the values of water parameters were findings. less suitable.