Effect of season on helminth parasitic prevalence, dominance, means intensity and abundance in some fresh water scaly fish

Five scaly fishes, Channa punctatus, Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Tor tor and Anabas testudineaus were investigated for seasonal density and infection intensity of helminths parasites of Lucknow region during October 2007 to September 2009. Total fourteen species of helminths were recovered: nine species of ectoparasites (Dactylogyrus and Gyrodactylus); twelve species of endoparasites (Clinistomum, Euclinostomum, Gastrohtylax, Paramphi stomum, Opisthorchis, Aspidogaster, Fasciola, Teania, Trichinella and Pallisentis). The overall prevalence of helminth parasites infection was recorded as 66.15% out of 73.84% infection in examined scaly fishes. The infestation exhibited significant monthly or seasonal fluctuation. The maximum prevalence and mean intensity of helminth parasite was recorded in summer season, moderate in monsoon and minimum in winter season. The prevalence, dominance, mean intensity and abundance of the helminth parasite were also found to be different between scaly fishes and were varied with the seasons. Among helminth parasites trematode showed significantly higher infection intensity as compared to cestode, nematode and acanthocephalan parasites.