Infection with a fish louse argulus foliaceus l. in a gold fish (carassius auratus)‎ at earthen ponds and aquarium fish in Babylon Province, Iraq

Abstract EN

Investigations on the occurrence of Argulus foliaceus from fish caught in the earthen ponds and aquarium fish in the state of Al-Mussaib area which is situated at 45 Km to the northwest of Al-Hilla city centre in Babylon province.

A total of 141 gold fish Carassius auratus were examined for ectoparasites .The microscopical examination revealed that fishes were infected with crustacean parasites Argulus foliaceus .This species recorded from fins region of gold fish.

The percentage of infection of Argulus foliaceus on these fishes was (17.02 %).The distribution of parasites was not uniform on defferent parts of bady fishes.

It was found that (5.67% for fantail gold fish , 4.96 % for redcap oranda gold fish ,3.54% for loin head gold fish, 2.12 % for five colour gold fish, 1.41 % for common carp gold fish and 0.70% telescope eyes gold fish ).

Parasites were found to prefer the parts of dorsal and caudal fins of the hosts.

Some pathological effects have been noticed.

The parasites were collected from the doral fins, pectoral fins, pelvic fins, caudal fins and anal fins from the goldfish.