Investigation on common parasitic diseases in marine Puffer fish (Lagocephalus lunaris)‎ in relation to heavy metal pollution in Lake Temsah, Ismailia Province

Abstract EN

This study was carried out on 294 marine puffer fish (Lagocephalus lunaris).

The fish were randomly collected from Lake Temsah, Ismailia Province at different seasons.

There were no pathognomonic signs in infested fish.

The recorded signs and P.

M.

lesions were excessive mucous secretion, congestion, marbling appearance, pale gills and destruction of gill filaments in case of crustacean infestation, pale enlarged liver with haemorrhages, in case of nematode larvae infestation.

Intestine was inflamed in cases with immature cestode infestation.

The detected parasites were identified as 2 copepodes (Bomolochus sp.

and Caligus sp.), nematode (Cucullanus sp.

larva) and unidentified immature cestode.

The total infestation rate was 40.8 % and autumn displayed the highest seasonal prevalence.

Crustacean parasites represented the highest prevalence (34.6 %) followed by immature cestodes (6.1 %) and nematode larvae (4.1 %).

The highest prevalence of crustacean parasites and nematode larvae were recorded in summer while the highest prevalence of immature cestodes was recorded in autumn.

The relations between fish body lengths and weights with parasitic infestation were recorded.

Besides, the relation between heavy metal pollution and parasitic infestation was discussed.