Ectoparasitic fauna in freshwater ornamental fish acquired by a wholesaler in the city of São Paulo

Abstract

This study analyzed the ectoparasitic fauna of freshwater ornamental fish marketed by a wholesaler in the São Paulo city. This study was undertaken from January to December 2016. A total of 268 freshwater ornamental fishes of various species that showed signs of disease after arrival at the establishment were evaluated. From the individuals, ectoparasites were collected by scraping off the skin and gills and visualized using an optical microscope at increasing magnification of 40x, 100x, 200x, and 400x. Parasites were found in 220 animals (82%); 11 different parasites were recorded, which included Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Monogenes, Metacercariae (Centrocestrus formousus), Epistylis spp., Chilodonella spp., Lernaea spp., Tetrahymena spp., Piscinoodinium spp., Trichodina spp., Ichthyobodo spp. and Argulus spp. The occurrence of the parasites in the establishment studied can indicates that the suppliers’ lack of good sanitary and hygiene practices in the management of their facilities, consequently distributing infested animals and putting the whole supply chain at risk.

Keywords

• Ornamental fish
• Ectoparasitic fauna
• Diseases
• Animal health