Isopods parasites infection on commercial fishes of Parangipettai waters, southeast coast of India

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of six different isopods from five different food fish species.MethodsThe specimens were collected directly from the trawlers landed at Parangipettai coast during the year of 2012 (January-December). Isopods were removed from the body surface and buccal cavities of the fish hosts and immediately preserved in 70% ethanol. Data regarding the prevalence of isopod parasites was calculated and site of attachment.ResultsDuring the study period, 310 fishes were collected and examined for parasites infection, and it includes five different species. Among the examined fishes, 106 fish were infected among the total number of 120 collected parasites. The occurrence of isopod infection in all the infected fishes was 34.19%. The occurrence of Liza parsia was 25%, Thryssa dussumieri was 36%, Sardinella albella was 17.5% and Otolithes cuvieri was 65%. The maximum isopoda parasite infected noticed Otolithes cuvieri and minimum value was recorded in Sardinella albella.ConclusionsThis is the new host for the parasite Nerocila phaeopleura in Liza parsia. Thus parasitic attack the growth and normal function of the fishes will suffer and lead to economic loss or the marketability may reduce then. In along the lifespan, the host population was may be affected by the parasitic outbreak.