HOST RELATIVE CONDITION FACTOR AND THE PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES OF PARACHANNA OBSCURA AND SAROTHERODON MELANOTHERON AS INDICATORS OF ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS IN LEKKI LAGOON, LAGOS, NIGERIA

Condition factor is a measure of energetics, nutritional status and viability host. Changes in the host condition have effect on rate infection. 100 fishes Sarotherodon melanotheron 90 Parachanna obscura from Lekki lagoon were procured dissected for intestinal helminth parasites. factors all individuals determined. Median (K < 1.32 K > 1.32) 4.09 4.09) used grouping individuals. Male female low had very parasite prevalence, 5.55% to 8.69% compared male high 4.09), having prevalence 13.64% 30.43%. These percentages expressed various groups population. The exception these, = 3.93±0.11) that percentage 35.71% Clinostomum sp. more stable but compromised immunological status. environment, both anthropogenic environmental, can alter host/parasite equilibrium cause disease or mortality fish. infected showed bile stasis within liver parenchyma, under histopathological examination. Decrease increase as result poor health an indicator environmental stress. Monitoring fish population provides vital information ecotoxicologist toxicologist improved monitoring.