Parasitological Investigation of Helminth Infections in Indigenous Ornamental Fishes

The present study provides baseline epidemiological information on helminth infections in selected indigenous ornamental fishes from Latur district, Maharashtra. An overall helminth prevalence of 48.37% was recorded among 215 examined fish, with 342 individual parasites representing four major helminth groups: Monogenea, Digenea, Cestoda and Nematoda. Channa spp. exhibited the highest host-specific prevalence, whereas Puntius spp. showed the highest total parasite burden. Monogeneans represented the most abundant parasite group, while the gastrointestinal tract was the principal site of endoparasitic infection. The findings highlight the importance of systematic parasitological surveillance in indigenous ornamental fishes. Regular screening, appropriate quarantine, good water-quality management, responsible stocking practices and hygienic handling can contribute substantially to reducing parasite transmission and improving fish health. Further investigations incorporating seasonal sampling, histopathology, molecular identification and detailed environmental assessment are recommended to elucidate the epidemiology, host specificity and pathogenic significance of helminth infections in indigenous ornamental fishes.

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