International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research

Authors
Eissa IAM, Amina A Dessouki, Heba I Abdel-Mawla, Rehab A Qorany

Abstract
Copepode parasites (Lernanthropus Kroyeri) were found in Suez Canal, Egypt from September 2017 to the end of August 2018. The copepode parasite infested the gills of commercially important fish hosts including, seabass (D. labrax) and spotted seabass (D. punctatus). The total prevalence was 64.25%. The winter and summer displayed the highest seasonal prevalence in seabass and spotted seabass respectively. Host fishes provoked moderate to severe pathognomonic abnormalities as signs of asphyxia, opened mouth, Opercular bulging, marbling appearance of the gills and heavy infestation of the copepods in between gill filaments. The relation inter between fish body weight, length and infestation rate were studied. The histopathological manifestation was recorded also as erosions, necrosis of the secondary lamellae and atrophy at the site of parasitic attachement.