A reserach on lernaea infestation on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) cultured in Kalecik dam lake (Osmaniye)

This study investigated the Lernaea sp. infestation on 1000 individuals of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) which is bred in Kalecik Dam Lake in Osmaniye during the breeding seasons between October 2015-May 2016, and October 2016-May2017. Fish individuals bred in net cages, sampled and stocked in pools and examined in every 15 days for the existence of Lernaea spp. The parasites found on the examined fishes were removed together with the tissue they attached and fixed to examine later. As a result of the study, infestations were observed in March and April. However, in other months of the year, there were no infestations. When the data is assessed, the difference between the statistical findings of the months was found significant (p<0,05). The specimens fixed throughout the study, separated from the tissues that they attached and examined with scanning electron microscope (SEM). After the tissue follow up process, species diagnosis was made from SEM micrographs. Based on the structures observed by SEM, it is understood that the specimens collected from the cultured rainbow trout belong to Lernaea cyprinacea (Linnaeus, 1758).