Identification of ectoparasite towards sea bass (Lates calcarifer) in cage culture in Setiu, Terengganu

Abstract

Identification, prevalence and mean intensity of ectoparasites on 40 commercialmariculture fish seabasses (Lates calcarifer) kept in floating cages from mariculture farms in Setiu, Terengganu were studied. Parasites were identified from the fin, skin, eye, operculum and gills of the fish. Three species of parasitic protozoa ( Cryptocaryon irritans, Henneguya sp. and Trichodina sp. ), two species of copepod ( Caligus sp. and Lernanthropus latis) and a monogenean species seudorhabdosynochus sp.) were identified from seabasses. Parasites were found from all parts of the body but gills were more heavily infected. Prevalence and mean intensity of Pseudorhabdosynochus sp. was the highest compared to others parasites. Prevalence and mean intensity on Sea bass (Lates calcarifer) were 100% and 84.95 respectively.