Histopathological, Haematological and Biochemical Indices of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Parasitized by Endoparasitic Fauna in Fish Farm of the Northeastern Egypt

Abstract

Knowledge of the endemic fauna of parasites in fish are of great importance, parasites could synergistically act as stressors to health of their hosts. The objectives of this study were to evaluate prevalence and effect of parasites on hematological, biochemical indices, injury of tissues and length weight relationship of Clarias, gariepinus. Water quality variables were measured and fishes were collected each seasons for examination most common parasites in infected fishes at Abbasa Fish Farm, Egypt. Results indicated that high summer water temperature was strongly associated with parasites infection. The hematological and biochemical analysis showed significant reduction in red blood cells (RBCs) count, hemoglobin (Hb) value, packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), total protein, Albumin, Globulin and A/G ratio, while total white blood cells (WBCs) count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), aspartate aminotransferase activity (ASAT), alanine aminotransferase activity (ALAT), urea, creatinine, uric acid and glucose were significantly increased in infested catfish. On other hands, histopathological examination of infected fish indicated, organs most affected by infection of parasites. Overall the tendencies observed in data showed the parasites have a strong effect on host fish and drifts observed for all variables showed a strong seasonal decoration.