| A year-long survey of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque) from five commercial ponds in the Mississippi Delta was done to determine when these fish become parasitized and which parasites are the most prevalent. Fish were sampled in the hatchery prior to placement in the pond. After placement in the pond, fish were sampled once a week for 10 weeks, and monthly thereafter. A sample of mud was collected and temperature taken. Parasites were seen within the first 2 weeks in each pond. The most prevalent skin and gill parasites were: Ambiphrya spp., Trichodina spp., Trichophrya spp., Apiosoma spp., Henneguya spp., and monogenetic trematodes. Routine histological techniques revealed, in order of prevalence, Ambiphrya spp., Trichodina spp., tapeworms, trematodes, Henneguya spp., Trichophrya spp., Aurantiactinomyxon ictaluri, Apiosoma spp., and unknown nematodes. Intestinal contents showed Corallobothrium fimbriatum to be most prevalent followed by Alloglossidium spp., Holostephanus spp., nematodes believed to be in the order Spiruridea, and Clinostomum spp. |
