Occurrence of <i>philometra lateolabracis </i>(philometridae) in the subcutaneous caudal fin region of sciaenid fishes of Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME), Tamil Nadu (India)

Abstract

<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold" lang="EN-GB">Present study consists the prevalence of philometrid nematode, <i>Philometra lateolabracis</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold" lang="EN-GB"> infections in two species of Sciaenid fishes along the Madras coastal water, Bay of Bengal during December, 2008 to July, 2012. Out of total 295 sciaenid fishes, examined, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Otolithes ruber</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Pennahia macrophthalmus</i> showed 70% & 32.5% of parasitic prevalence on the subcutaneous region on caudal fins. The number of parasitic worms per fish varied from 1 to 7 with an average of 3.18±1.64. Parasites length varies from 5-16 mm with an average of 11.18±4.62 mm. The minimum and maximum sizes and weight of Sciaenid fishes were caught from Kasimedu landing centre (Chennai) during October-December, 2012 varied from180-287 mm and weight 120-245 gm respectively.

</span></span>