A Study on Copepod Parasites of Mangrove Fish Polynemus Tetradactylus (SHAW 1804) from Andhra Prdesh - East Coast of India

Anthropogenic activities in and around the estuaries are causing deterioration and depletion of fishes. In addition to this, fishes are prone to secondary infections by microbes and parasites. Three species of copepod parasites were recorded viz. , Lernanthropus polynemi, Caligus phipsoni and Parapetalus hirsutus. The host parasite interaction, their prevalence and mean intensity of total and individual parasites was studied and recorded. Prevalence was found to be as high as 94.1 % and the mean intensity is being 1.58 indicating that copepod infection is not intense. Usually they cause minor harm to their hosts when present in small numbers. However, in case of heavy infections severe damage to skin, muscles, and gill tissue accompanied with secondary infections, and resulting in decreased nutritive value of fish. Good environment management is crucial to avoid occurrence of parasites.