World Journal of Fish and Marine Sciences 5 (1): 84-87, 2013 ISSN 2078-4589 © IDOSI Publications, 2013 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjfms.2013.05.01.65101 Corresponding Author: Mehdi Raissy, Department of Aquatic Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University- Shahrekord Branch, Iran. 84 Parasites of Some Native Fish from Kaaj River, Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari Province, Iran Mehdi Raissy, Hamed Azizi, Firouz Fadaeifard and Saeed Yousef Pour 1 1 1 2 Department of Aquatic Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 1 Islamic Azad University- Shahrekord Branch, Iran Department of Environment, Shahrekord, Iran 2 Abstract: The occurrence of parasites was studied in native fish (Capoeta capoeta, C. damascina, Chondrostoma regium) caught from the Kaaj River, Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province, Iran. More than 76 percent of the examined fish were infested with parasites and 7 parasite species were collected including Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Trichodina sp., Myxobolus musayevi, Dactylogyrus lenkorani, Gyrodactylus sp, Allocreadium isoporum and Rhabdochona sp. The highest infection rate was found in C. damascina with mean of 81.6%. The infection rate was significantly different in four seasons (p<0.05) although no significant difference was found among fishes with different weight and length. Key words: Fish Parasite %Kaaj River %Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province INTRODUCTION Chondrostoma regium (n=18) were examined between The study on Iran’s fishes parasites dates back to fisherman using gill nets then were carried alive to the 1949, when Bychowsky [1] reported three Dactylogyrus laboratory in aerated tanks of water. In the laboratory, species and one Ancyrocephalus on the gills of fishes in each specimen was individually measured for the length, Karkheh River. Since then other researchers have weight and age (Table 1). Identification of the fish species reported more parasites from Iranian freshwater fish [2-7]. was made according to Coad [8]. Parasitology Parasites in fish have been a great concern since they investigation was done in Fisheries Research Center, often produce disease conditions in fish which will lead to IAU, Shahrekord. For this purpose, external surfaces of an increase in the fishes’ susceptibility to other diseases, individuals including skin and fins were examined for causing nutritive devaluation of fish as well as fish loss. ectoparasites using a stereomicroscope. Gills were Kaaj River which is located in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari examined for monogenean and protozoan parasites Province, West Iran is one of the small branches of immediately after the fish was taken out of water. Karoon River which finally along with Karoon River joins The buccal cavity, opercula and eyes were examined Persian Gulf. The aforementioned river has been paid separately. Internal organs (heart, liver, spleen, gall little attention disregarding its ecologic and economical bladder, digestive tract, gonads, swim bladder and importance. Ichthyophauna of the River comprises native kidney, as well as the entire body cavity and mesentery) fishes including genus Capoeta and Chondrostoma. were inspected for free or encapsulated parasites by No previous study on ichthyofauna and parasitofauna compressing between glass plates and examination for of fishes in Kaaj River was carried out. This study was parasites. The intestine was also opened longitudinally done to study the parasites in fish from Kaaj River, and was inspected carefully under stereomicroscope Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province, Iran. and light microscope. The parasites were preserved in 4% MATERIALS AND METHODS Crustacea), in a mixture of ammonium picrate and glycerin A total of 152 fish specimens from 3 species including (Nematoda). Parasites were identified in accordance with Capoeta aculeata (n=74), C. damascina (n=60), the diagnostic keys [9-12], using a light microscope. autumn 2011 and summer 2012. Fishes caught by local formaldehyde or 70% alcohol (Digenea, Cestoda and (Monogenea) or in a mixture of glycerin and alcohol