Prevalence of fish Parasites IN Bagrus bayad and Protopterus annectens from Upper River Benue in Mutum Biu, Taraba State, Nigeria

The prevalence of fish parasites in Bagrus bayad and Protopterus annectens from Upper River Benue Mutum Biu, Taraba State, Nigeria was carried out using standard parasitological method. objectives this study were to investigate the parasite species spectrum, each species, overall prevalence, infection relation size sexes induced by on/in their body parts, with view providing relevant information that can be used combating rate economic losses could experienced as a result parasitic infestations. 4 taxa comprising Twelve (12) (Trichodina spp., Henneguya spp. Cryptobia iubilans, Diphillobothrium latum, Hymenolepis nanna Bothriocephalus aengypticus, Capillaria philipinensis, Caenorhabditis briggsae, Camallanus Eustrongylides Contracaecum Clinostomum recovered samples during period. while seven (7) annectens. Among parts bayad, intestine had highest percentage load (56.37%), (46.22%) recorded for stomach (46.22%). Out 400 200 annectens, 234 (58.50%) 99 (49.50%) 135 (67.50%) infested 369 119 parasites, respectively. However, there no significant difference between respectively (P>0.05). Generally, larger sized higher compared smaller both although, sizes not statistically Female (21.61%) (16.63%) than males (6.37%) (6.24%), There Epidermal necrosis caudal fin skin, thickened intestinal epithelium at site attachment, hyperplasia villi lamina propria, infected gills secondary lamellae, ulceration stomach, abdominal distention, eroded flattened folds lymphocytic infiltration mucosa edema propria observed B. bayad. P. exhibited epidermal skin.