Comparative Study and Zoonotic Implications of Endoparasitic Fauna in Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus from Great Kwa River and Calabar River, Cross River State, Nigeria

A total of two hundred Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus samples bought from artisanal fishermen in Nsidung beach of Calabar River and Obufa Esuk Beach of Great Kwa River and subjected to parasitological investigation, 67 (33.5%) were infected and 97 parasites recovered. The endoparasites recovered from the organs of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus were Diphyllobothrium latum, Capillaria philippinensis, Schistocephalus solidus , and Neoechinorynchus rutili. Sex related infection was observed to be higher in female fish 15 (13.6%) than the male fish 10 (9.1%) from Great Kwa River, and 24 (26.7%) in females than 18 (20.0%) in males from Calabar River. There was no statistical significant difference (p > 0.05) between increased endoparasitic infection of female fish and male fish. Generally, more parasites 55 (56.7%) were recovered from Calabar River than Great Kwa River 42 (43.3%). This study revealed that larger fish from Great Kwa River and Calabar River had highest parasitic infection (32.0%) and (38.0%) respectively in length range 51-60 cm. However, the highest weight related infection (28.6%) and (26.2%) in C. nigrodigitatus were recorded in weight range 201-300g from Great Kwa River and Calabar River respectively. Apart from the cheap protein supplies of this fish to humans, when eaten raw their parasites cause zoonotic diseases like Diphyllobothriosis and intestinal capillariasis. Keywords : Endoparaites, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus , zoonotic implications, Great kwa, Calabar River.