Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths of Tilapia zilli (Gervias) in Gombe, Northeastern Nigeria

In order to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths infestation in tilapia species sold in major markets in Gombe, three hundred (300) tilapia fish samples of both sexes and of different age groups were randomly examined. The sample population included 183 adults and 117 juveniles fishes, 157 females and 143 male fishes. Out of the total fishes sampled from three local fish markets, 128 (42.70%) were found to be infested by gastrointestinal helminthes. The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in tilapia fishes sampled from Gombe main market (17.0%), Kwadom market (15.0%) and Gombe old market (10.70%) respectively. Three genera of gastrointestinal parasites were encountered at prevalence rates of nematodes (17.70%), trematodes (13.70%) and cestodes (11.30%). The prevalent rates of these gastrointestinal helminths in accordance to sexes of fish shows higher prevalence in female fishes (24.0%) compared to the male fishes (18.70%). There was no statistical significant difference (P= 0.52) in the prevalent rates among the two sexes of fish. However, considering the prevalent rates of gastrointestinal helminths in accordance to ages of fishes, higher frequency was found in adult tilapia fishes (31.00%) than in the juvenile fishes (11.70%). There was statistical significant difference (P= 0.03) prevalent rates among the two ages of fish. Out of the 128 infected fishes examined, nematodes, cestodes and trematodes were all found in the intestines of 71 (23.70%) infected fishes and also in the stomach of 44 (14.70%) infected fishes but only cestodes was found in the gut of 13 (4.30%) infected fishes, while no helminths was recovered in the gills of all infected fishes. The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in tilapia species may be one of the significant constraints to the maximum productivity of the fish in the study area. It is therefore recommended that tilapia culturists should be enlighten on the need to routinely treat their fishes using appropriate antehelminthics for maximum production. Moreover, fishes meant for human consumption should be well cooked to prevent human health hazard of acquiring fish-borne helminthes infections.