~ 624 ~ International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2016; 4(5): 624-631 ISSN: 2347-5129 (ICV-Poland) Impact Value: 5.62 (GIF) Impact Factor: 0.549 IJFAS 2016; 4(5): 624-631 © 2016 IJFAS www.fisheriesjournal.com Received: 22-07-2016 Accepted: 23-08-2016 Okoye Uzodinma O Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology of Federal university of Technology Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria Ndupuh EE Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology of Federal university of Technology Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria Adeleye SA Department of Industrial Microbiology of Federal university of Technology Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria Correspondence Okoye Uzodinma O Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology of Federal university of Technology Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria A survey on endo-parasites of Clarias gariepinus in some selected fish farms in Owerri west local government area of Imo state, Nigeria Okoye Uzodinma O, Ndupuh EE and Adeleye SA Abstract The present study was carried out in three different pond locations in Owerri West (namely Beliorck aquatic limited Obinze as Pond A, Eddvic integrated farm limited Ihiagwa as Pond B and Urban fish farm Avu as Pond C), to identify, determine and compare the prevalence of Endo-parasites of Clarias gariepinus. Of the 60 Clarias gariepinus samples analyzed and examined for Endo-parasites by taking a smear of their internal organs for examinations using staining method (Giemsa stain), 5 Endo-parasites were identified and isolated belonging to 3 taxas namely Nematode: Contracaecum sp (11.67%), Camallanus sp (48.33%), Protozoa: Cryptobia iubilans (40%), Trypanosoma sp (35%), Acanthocephalans: Acanthocephalus sp (21.67%). Pond C was found to harbour higher number of Endo- parasites than pond A and pond B. The intestine, stomach, liver and kidney were examined for Endo- parasites of which the stomach (with Pond A 60%, Pond B 40% and Pond C 80%) accounted as the organs with the most Endo-parasitic invasion. Bigger fishes were observed to harbor higher Endo- parasites than the smaller ones. Keywords: Endo-parasites, selected ponds, Clarias gariepinus, parasites prevalence, invasion and infestation 1. Introduction The African cat fish (Clarias gariepinus) belongs to the family Clariidae and has been known to be the most popular fish food in Nigeria (Froese et al., 2014) [23] . It is found throughout Africa and in the Middle East and lives in freshwater rivers, lakes and as well as human-made habitat, such as the earthen pond or concrete ponds and was introduced all over the world in the early 1980’s for aquaculture purposes (Froese, 2014) [23] . Its importance can never be over emphasized due to its high nutritive value, it is a good source of protein in the diet of different countries especially in the tropics and subtropics where malnutrition is a major problem (Alune and Andrew, 1996) [6] . Report shows that fish accounts for more than forty percent of protein diet of two-thirds of the global population (Eyo, 1992 and FAO, 1999) [20, 22] . According to Sadiku and Oladimeji (1991) [52] , the average protein intake by an average Nigerian was estimated to be about 63.24g/caput/day, which happens to be below 70g/caput/day FAO minimum recommendation protein intake. The demand for fish has been found to be very high due to its oily flesh and low cholesterol level and; is a promising aspect of investment in Africa. Fish has a great wide geographical spread, high promise in growth rate, resistant to handling and as well as appreciated flesh (Akinsanya and Otubanjo, 2006) [4] . One of the major problems of the fishery sector which remains to be addressed as an important constraint in improving the productivity of the sector in both wild and cultured population are parasite and disease associated with fish (Subasinghe et al., 2002) [54] . Parasites of fish are a concern since they often produce a weakening of the host’s immune system thereby increasing their susceptibility to secondary infections that often result in the nutritive devaluation of fish and subsequent economic losses (Onyedineke et al., 2010) [45] . Parasitic diseases reduces fish production by affecting the normal physiology of the fish and if left uncontrolled could result to mass mortalities or in some cases could serve as source of infection for human and other vertebrates that consume it (Ayotunde et al., 2007) [9] . These parasites could be Ecto-parasites or Endo-parasites. The protozoan and helminthes are reported to be the major group of parasites of fish involved in parasitism in Nigeria (Ndifon and Jimeta, 1990; Adikwu et al., 2004; Omeji, 2011) [37, 2, 41] .