Study Of Digenea Parasite Clinostomum Phalacrocoracis (Dubois, 1930) Infection In Liver Of Freshwater Fish Channa Punctata (Bloach, 1793) From Pune District, (Maharashtra) India

Abstract

Freshwater fish are prone to parasitic infection. These parasites fall under two types of endoparasites and ectoparasites. The current study is of Channa punctata (Bloch 1793), consumed locally by a large portion of the population. We found metacercariae stage of Clinostomum phalacrocoracis (Dubois, 1930) that infects the liver, kidneys and oesophagus of fish. Histopathological study was performed to study the body structure and anchoring of sucker to fish tissue. This can lead to anaemic condition in fish and may affect the fish's survival and reproductive capacity. Thus infected fish become unfit for human consumption.