Parasites of ornamental fish in Turkey

Six commonly freshwater ornamental fish, namely Poecilia rediculata (guppy); Poecilia sphenops (black molly); Cichlosoma sp. (Cichlidae); Xiphophorus maculatus (platy); Carassius auratus (goldfish) and Symphisodon discus (discus) were examined for parasites during a four years study (19982002) in Turkey. The parasites species found included: Ichthyobodo sp., Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Chilodonella sp., Trichodina sp., Dactylogyrus extensus, Gyrodactylus bullatarudis, Lernaea cyprinacea, Argulus foliaceus, Argulus japonicus and Capillaria sp. Among the fish that were studied, goldfish had highest infections. *Corresponding author’s E-mail: [email protected] The ornamental fish industry in Turkey has grown in recent years. Most of these fish are imported from Asian countries. The occurrence of parasites in ornamental fish in Turkey has not previously been well studied. In this study we aimed to diagnose the parasites in freshwater ornamental fish and so determine the prevalence of some of these parasites within the Turkey industry. Materials and methods Samples of fish were taken at two ornamental fish farms every month between 1998 and 2002. Routine laboratory examinations, as well as examination of wet mount of skin and gills direct examination were performed. Subsequently, fish were anaesthetized in a solution of MS222, pithed, killed and complete parasitological examination Fish species Fish family No. Fish examined No. Fish infected Poecilia rediculata Poecilidae 130 75 Xiphophorus maculatus Poecilidae 125 25 Poecilia sphenops Poecilidae 110 55 Cichlosoma sp. Cichlidae 74 18 Carassius auratus Cyprinidae 245 155 Symphisodon discus Cichlidae 75 24 Total 759 371 Table 1. Ornamental Fish examined for parasites. Bull. Eur. Ass. Fish Pathol., 29(1) 2009, 26 undertaken. Parasites were counted and measured fresh, then permanently mounted where possible. Ciliates and flagellates were preserved in Bouin’s fixative. Monogenea were fixed in ammonium picrate or glycerin jelly and stained using carmine. Results Six of the most frequently imported ornamental fish species were studied: Poecilia rediculata (guppy); Poecilia sphenops (black molly); Cichlosoma sp. (Cichlidae); Xiphophorus maculatus (platy); Carassius auratus (goldfish) and Symphisodon discus (discus). Numbers and types of parasites found were determined are given in Tables 1 and 2. Ten species of parasites were identified. The parasites detected represent two monogeneans, four protozoans, one copepod and two branchiurans one nematode. Among the fish studied goldfish showed highest parasite infestation and high stocking density, thus high mortality was observed, particularly caused by ichthyophthiriosis and gyrodactylosis. Discussions Goldfish and carp are infected by a wide variety of parasites (Stoskopf, 1993). Few studies have demonstrated parasite infections associated with mortality. However ichthyophthiriosis is one of the most common diseases of freshwater fish. All freshwater fish are susceptible to infections (Woo, 1995). The main cause of these infections and mortality in studied fish overcrowding, malnutrition, poor water quality introduction of new infected fish to the aquarium. Many of the huge number of parasites that have been isolated from aquarium fish in Turkey, are capable of including significant mortalities among captive and wild stocks, especially parasites which do not need and an intermediates host, such as protozoan and Monogenea (Wildgoose, 2001). Isolated parasites in this study may be transferred from cultivated and wild fish to aquarium fish to Turkey with imported ornamental fish, especially Lernea cyprinacea, Chilodonella sp., Dactylogyrus extensus, Argulus foliaceus and Argulus japonicus in fancy goldfish, Gyrodactylus bullatarudis in guppy, and Capillairia sp. in discus. Few of the parasites from fish Asia and Southern America have been described (Moravec et al., 1997). Thus many undescribed parasites could be entering importing countries with imported fish. Exporting conditions in the aquarium industry allow parasites with a direct – live cycle to attain a high prevalence of infection, assuming environmental conditions are conductive. Treatment of fish prior to export or upon arrival in an importing country will minimise the risk of future parasite entry and further parasite dispersal. Mousavi (2003) studied parasites of ornamental fish imported in Iran and reported thirteen parasite species. Other investigation and authors (Stoskopf, 1993; Woo, 1995; Fairfield, 2000; Evans and Lester, 2001; Noga, 2001) have been described many of isolated parasites in this study, which can infect ornamental fish of many species. Bull. Eur. Ass. Fish Pathol., 29(1) 2009, 27 ReferencesEvans B & Lester RJG (2001). Parasites ofornamental fish imported in Australia.Bulletin of the European Association of FishPathologists 21(2), 51-55. Fairfield T (2000). A common sense guide toFish Health. Barrons 75-95. Mousavi HAE (2003). Parasites of Ornamentalfish in Iran. Bulletin of the European Associationof Fish Pathologists 23(6), 297-300. Moravec F, Prouza A & Royero R (1997). Somenematodes of freshwater fishes in Venezuela.Folia Parasitologica 36, 127-141.Parasites SpeciesParasite Phylum (class) Fish species Mean prevalence (%)Ichthyobodo sp.Protozoa (Ciliata)Carassius auratus0.9 Ichthyophthirius multifiliisPoecilia rediculata14.9 Poecilia sphenopsCichlosoma sp.Xiphophorus maculatusCarassius auratusCarassius auratusPoecilia rediculataChilodonella sp.Poecilia sphenops1.1 Trichodina sp.Cichlosoma sp.13 Xiphorus maculatusCarassius auratusSymphisodon discusGyrodactylus bullatarudis Platyhelminthes (Monogenea) Poecilia rediculata11 Dactylogyrus extensusCarassius auratus1.5 Capillaria sp.Platyhelminthes (Monogenea) Symphisodon discus1.5 Lernea cyprinaceaArthropoda (Copepoda) Carassius auratus1.2 Argulus foliaceusBrancihiuraCarassius auratus0.7 Argulus japonicusBrancihiuraCarassius auratus0.8 Table 2. Parasites found in studied Ornamental fish. Noga EJ (2001). Fish Disease, Diagnosis andTreatment. Mosby. 75-138. Stoskopf MK (1993). Fish medicine. W.B.Saunders. 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