Identification of parasites of skin, gills and intestine in Capoeta damascina from Shalamzar Lake, Chaharmahal va Bakhtyari Province, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Parasites are important pathogens affecting fish populations in different
aquatic ecosystems. The current research aimed to study the parasites of Capoeta
damascina from Shalamzar River located in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari during summer
2016.
Materials & Methods: A total number of 60 fish were caught and studied in the
laboratory by sampling throughout the skin, gills, and digestive system. The parasites were
identified using morphologic and morphometric characteristics.
Results: According to the results, five parasites species including Ichthyophthirius
multifiliis, Trichodina sp., Gayrodactylus sp., Allocreadium isoporum and Lerneae
cyprinacea were identified. The results indicated that all of the studied fish were infected
with at least one parasitic species. The highest and lowest infestation was caused by I.
multifiliis (100%) and L. cyprinacea (3.33%).
Conclusion: The high rate of infection with I. multifiliis is a danger to the native fish
population and a limiting factor to the trout fish development around the lake.