Identification of Ectoparasites and Endoparasites in Snakehead Fish (Channa striata) and Climbing Perch Fish (Anabas testudineus) Caught in the Sebangau River of Indonesia

Abstract

Ectoparasites are parasites that can infect the external organs of fish (skin, gills and the outer surface of the body) while endoparasites are parasites that infect the internal organs of fish. This study aims to determine the types of ectoparasites and endoparasites that infect snakehead fish (Channa striata) and climbing perch fish (Anabas testudineus). Sampling was carried out at the Sebangau River while the identification was carried out at the Fish Quarantine Station, Quality Control and Safety of Fishery Products in Palangka Raya. Examination of ectoparasites includes mucus, gills, scales, and fish fins. Examination of endoparasites by observing the organs of the fish such as liver, meat, intestines and stomach. There are eight types of ectoparasites in snakehead fish, namely Trichodina sp, Dactylogyrus sp, Gyrodactylus sp, Apiosoma sp, Tetrahymena sp, Aelosoma sp, Lamproglena sp, and Henneguya sp, while there are four types of endoparasites in snakehead fish, namely Camallanus sp, Procamallanus sp, Neoechynorynchus sp , and Senga sp. There are five types of ectoparasites in the climbing perch  fish caught in the Sebangau River, namely Trichodina sp, Dactylogyrus sp, Aelosoma sp, Myxobolus sp, and Epistylis sp. Meanwhile, there is only one type of endoparasite that attack snakehead fish, namely Procamallanus sp. The total prevalence of snakehead fish’s ectoparasites was 81.7%, with an intensity level of 6.1 individual parasites per fish. The total prevalence of ectoparasites in climbing perch fish is 45%, with an intensity level of 5.4 individual parasites per fish. The total prevalence of snakehead fish endoparasites is 65%, with an intensity level of 9.8 individual parasites per fish. The prevalence of climbing perch fish’s endoparasites is 31.7%, with an intensity level of 19 individual parasites per fish.