The prevalence of parasites in ornamental fish from fish market in Medan

Abstract

Parasites still become the major problem in ornamental fish as the fast grown of its trading in Indonesia. Parasites causes diseases in ornamental fish hence followed by death and reducing its appearence. In this study, the prevalence of parasites in 100 apparently healthy ornamental fishes namely Guppy (Poecilia reticulate) and Goldfish (Carrasius auratus) were determined. The method of this research used was survey in local fish market in Medan from March to May 2017 The aim of this study was to determine the parasite that infects aquarium fishes and find out its prevalence. For this purpose, ornamental fishes were examined for parasites from their skin, fin, gill and intestine using wet mount method under a light microscope. The survey result showed that parasites that infect Guppy and Goldfish were Monogenea (Dactylogyrus sp and Gyrodactylus sp) in their skin and gill, Protozoa (piscinodinium sp) in their gill and Nematoda (Capillaria sp) in abdominal cavity. Prevalence rate of parasites that attack Guppy in Medan is Dactylogyrus sp (8%), Gyrodactylus sp (14 %), Piscinodinium sp (6%) and Capillaria sp (8%). Then, prevalence rate of Capilaria sp that attack Goldfish is 4%. The conclusion of this work revealed that the prevalence rate of ectoparasite and endoparasites in ornamental fishes in Medan had the low rate as well as there was no pathological findings is observed. However, these parasites could be a harmful parasitic diseases in case there is the changes in aquarium environment and improper fish handling.

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The prevalence of parasites in ornamental fish from fish market in
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International Conference on Agriculture, Environment, and Food Security IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 122 (2018) 012110 doi :10.1088/1755-1315/122/1/012110
The prevalence of parasites in ornamental fish from fish
market in Medan
R R Dewi1,2*, Desrita2 and A Fadhilla2
1Animal Science, Universitas Tjut Nyak Dhien, Indonesia
2Management of Water Resources, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia
E-mail : ritardewi@yahoo.com
Abstract. Parasites still become the major problem in ornamental fish as the fast grown of its
trading in Indonesia. Parasites causes diseases in ornamental fish hence followed by death and
reducing its appearence. In this study, the prevalence of parasites in 100 apparently healthy
ornamental fishes namely Guppy (Poecilia reticulate) and Goldfish (Carrasius auratus) were
determined. The method of this research used was survey in local fish market in Medan from
March to May 2017 The aim of this study was to determine the parasite that infects aquarium
fishes and find out its prevalence. For this purpose, ornamental fishes were examined for
parasites from their skin, fin, gill and intestine using wet mount method under a light
microscope. The survey result showed that parasites that infect Guppy and Goldfish were
Monogenea (Dactylogyrus sp and Gyrodactylus sp) in their skin and gill, Protozoa
(piscinodinium sp) in their gill and Nematoda (Capillaria sp) in abdominal cavity. Prevalence
rate of parasites that attack Guppy in Medan is Dactylogyrus sp (8%), Gyrodactylus sp (14
%), Piscinodinium sp (6%) and Capillaria sp (8%). Then, prevalence rate of Capilaria sp that
attack Goldfish is 4%. The conclusion of this work revealed that the prevalence rate of
ectoparasite and endoparasites in ornamental fishes in Medan had the low rate as well as there
was no pathological findings is observed. However, these parasites could be a harmful
parasitic diseases in case there is the changes in aquarium environment and improper fish
handling.Key word : Parasites, prevalence, ornamental fish
1. Introduction
Gold fish and Guppy is the main ornamental fish because its appearance and many hobbyist choose
them as a pet. Despite of their appearance, an economic value of ornamental fish are the main reason
for the remarkable grown in its trading both in Indonesia market and worldwide. The global
wholesale value for aquarium fish trading estimated at US$ 900 million in 2000[1]. Asia provided
more than 50 % of the worldwide total ornamental fish supply. Furthermore, Indonesia has been one
of the main country in Asia which is import both marine and fresh water ornamental fish to Europe in
2009[1].
Parasitic diseases in ornamental fish is one of the main problem both for farmer and aquarist.
Parasites make a great loss because it could reduce fish performance such as scale loss, colour change
and many pathological aspects as well as mortality. Obviously, parasites possibly have the capability
to directly lessen the appearance of their hosts, in terms of growth and reproduction, through their
direct impact on fish health[2].High mortality rate by parasites due to the progress infection by
parasites such as mechanical damages in gill [3], alterations in reproduction organ [4]and secondary
infection by bacterial diseases[5].

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International Conference on Agriculture, Environment, and Food Security IOP Publishing
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The occurrence of parasites in ornamental fishes has been reported worldwide as well as Indonesia.
Parasites in ornamental fishes that determined from Chumuci River in Mexico were from 3 taxas ,
namely Monogenean, Nematoda and Acantocephala[6]. In Korea, 7 imported fishes from Southeast
Asia were examined for parasite infection and they found that there were 3 ciliates, 2 monogeneans, 1
nematode, and 1 copepod from 7 host species [7].Aquarium fishes that colected from pet shop in
Sweden mostly infected by Monogenea parasites[8]. Parasites infection in imported fish also found in
Pakistan [9]. In Iran, there were reported that parasites infection in fresh water ornamental fish farm
also happened during 2011 -2012 [10]. Parasites infection in ornamental fishes also reported from
Indonesia such as Jakarta [11] and Surabaya [12]. However, the occurance parasites of ornamental
fishes in Medan still unknown for these years.
The distribution of parasites infection could by trading (imported fish), fish farm infection from
natural resources or in fish market. The present study is aimed to investigate parasitic infection and to
know the prevalence of parasites infection in guppy and goldfish species ornamental fishes that selling
in fish market in Medan city.
2. Materials And Methods
One hundred ornamental fishes were collected from five pet shops in Medan city from March 2017 to
May 2017 and were examined for the parasites infection. The fish samples were brought live in
polyethylene bag and kept in aquarium aerated water in Management Water Resources laboratory,
Faculty of Agriculture, Sumatera Utara University. The experiment methods was survey method.
The experimental fishes were measured and examined by standard parasitology examination
[13].The external examination was observed to identified the pathological damage caused by parasites.
The body, skin, fins, gill were throughly examined as well as intestine for external parasites and
endoparasites infestations. The wet mount preparation or biopsy procedures were applied to observe
the parasites from experimental fishes [13]. The surface of body and fns were scrapped and intestine
were cut to observe the parasites infestation. The parasites examination and identification were done
by using the micoscope examination [13][14]. Parasites, habitats, prevalence and intensity of parasites
were analyzed by descriptive analysis.
3. Results and Discussions
The study of parasitic infection in ornamental fish both Guppy and goldfish from Medan were done
then it found there were three group of parasites : monogenean( Gyrodactylus sp, Dactylogyrus sp),
protozoa (Piscinodinium sp), and nematode (Capillaria sp) were observed.A total of 100 fishes both
guppy and gold fish were examined for parasitic infection. The total length of the fish ranged 2,3 - 4,9
cm for guppy and 4,72 – 7,62 cm for gold fish. Out of the total 100 fishes, the number of nfected
fishes varied for each type of parasites (Table 1). There were four species infected Guppy and one
species infected goldfish. These were : Piscinodinium sp, Gyrodactylus sp, Dactylogyrus sp, and
Capillaria sp. The parasites prevalence and intensity both Guppy and Goldfish are given in Table 1
Table 1. Prevalence and Intensity of Parasites that Infected Ornamental Fishes in Fish Market Medan
Fish
Parasites
Prevalence (%)
Intensity
Guppy
Protozoa
Piscinodinium sp
6
10.67
Monogeneans
Gyrodactylus sp
14
1.43
Dactylogyrus sp
8
1.25
Nematoda
Capillaria sp
8
1.25
Gold Fish
Nematoda
Capillaria sp
2
1

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International Conference on Agriculture, Environment, and Food Security IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 122 (2018) 012110 doi :10.1088/1755-1315/122/1/012110
The prevalence of Monogenean both Gyrodactylus sp and Dactylogyrus sp that infect the Guppy is
the highest among all the parasites which is about 14% and 8 %. respectively. Then. the endoparasites
; Capillaria sp about 8 % . The lower prevalence of parasites in Guppy is Piscinodinium sp about 6 %.
On the contrary. Goldfish have the fewest parasites which is shown by the lowest prevalence was
about 2 %. Then. the parasites that infects goldfish was endoparasites namely nematodes (capillaria
sp.).The intensity of parasites Piscinodinium sp is the highest among all the parasites infected the
Guppy which is about 10.67. The intensity of monogenean. both Gyrodactylus sp and Dactylogyrus
sp were 1.43 and 1.25. Hence. the intensity of Capillaria sp was 1.25. In goldfish. the intensity of
nematode parasites was about 1.
Different parasite species were reported from various ornamental fish species around the world.
Parasites infection in a variety of goldfish was reported from Pakistan. These parasites were;
monogenean (Dactylogyrus extensus. Gyrodactylus sp.). protozoan (Trichodina sp. Ichthyophthirius
multifiliis) and crustacean parasite(Argulus foliaceus)[9]. Ambiphyra spp. was reported from the skin
of guppy [15]. The ectoparasites also observed from goldfish (Carassius auratus) in Iran. six were
monogeneans (Dactylogyrus vastator. D. baueri. D. formosus. Dactylogyrus sp.. Gyrodactylus
chinensis and Gyrodactylus. sp.) and three were protistans (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. Trichodina sp.
and Cryptobia sp)[16].
This study is the first report about parasitic infection in ornamental fish from market fish in Medan.
North Sumatera. However. there were also many reports of parasite fauna from ornamental fishes in
Indonesia market. Parasites that infected guppy fish were Trichodinid (Ciliophora). Gyrodactylus sp.
(Platyhelminthes) dan Lerneae sp. (Crustacea)[3]. Types of ectoparasites that found in Koi fish
(Cyprinus carpio) in East Java were Trichodina sp.. Chilodonella sp.. Myxobollus sp.. Ichtyopthirius
multifilis. Dactylogyrus sp. Gyrodactylus sp.. and Argulus japonicus[12].
In this study. there were three group of parasites : monogenean( Gyrodactylus sp. Dactylogyrus sp).
protozoa (Piscinodinium sp). and nematode (Capillaria sp) were observed. In guppy fish. The highest
prevalence of parasite infection were monogeneans : gyrodactylus sp.(14%) and dactylogyrus sp (8%).
Monogeneans are platyhelminths parasitic that commmon in fish and known to lead desease in all kind
of fish culture [14]. Their existance in fish culture and aquarium probably they have the high rate of
reproduction under poor sanitation and deterioting water quality such as over crowding. high ammonia
or nitrite. organic pollution or low dissolve oxygen[13]. While this study found that the prevalence and
intensity of monogeneans in Guppy was low. however it still became threatened for diseases outbreak
because the epidemic study on monogenea infection in guppy result showed that in social hosts like
guppies. the frequency of social contact largely rules disease epidemics independent of host density
[17].
Protozoan parasites that infect gill of Guppy fish in this experiment wasPiscinodinium sp. with
prevalence rate was about 6 % and intensity was 10. 67. Piscinodinium sp. infection in ornamental fish
also reported in Srilanka [18]. This parasites was one of genera in Dinoflagellates which are protozoa
that are commonly found in aquatic ecosystems [14]. Hence. it is a a problem in tropical freshwater
fishes and mostly were reported in aquarium fishes [18][19]. Piscinodiinium sp infest the gill and skin
[14]. Furthermore. in this study. we found it infected the gill with pathological sign such as slightly
deterioted in lamella.
Endoparasites findings in this study was nematodes infection in intestine both Guppy and Goldfish.
The prevalence of this infection was 8% in Guppy and only 2% in goldfish. Capillaria sp infestation
also reported in Guppy from Srilanka [18] and Iran [10]. Fish are either intermediate or final hosts for
nematodes and neither adult or larval nematodes are usually a problem in most cultured fish[13].
Capillaria sp. could lead the high mortality in aquarium fish because it can cause chronic wasting if
present in high number [13].
The site of infection varied for each species of parasites. The Protozoan infected gill and
Monogenean infected skin and gill. Endoparasites also found in the intestine which is identified as
nematode. The location of each parasites were given in Table 2.

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Table 2 . Location of Parasites in ornamental fish bodies
Parasites
Host Species
Location
Piscinodinium sp
Guppy
Gill
Gyrodactylus sp
Guppy
Skin
Dactylogyrus sp
Guppy
Gill
Capillaria sp
Gold fish. Guppy
Intestine
The location of parasites depend on their specifity and their feeding. Ectoparasites infect host in
their external bodies such as skin. fin and gill.Piscinodiiniums infest the skin and gill and feed from
epithelial cells [13]. Nematodes are endoparasites that had infestation in intestine mucus of fish.
The fish lenght also measured in this study. The existance of parasites and their relationship with
length of fish were showed in figure 1. The chart represents that the prevalence of parasite infection
decrease as long as the the increase of the fish size. The highest prevalence with the length between
2.0 – 2.9 cm then followed by fish size with 3.0 – 3.9 cm lenght both value were 50% and 35%.
respectively. The fish with lenght between 4.0 – 4.9 cm have the prevalence about 25 %
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2,0-2,9 3,0 - 3,9 4,0 - 4,9
Prevalence (%)
Length of fish (cm)
Figure 1. Parasites Prevalence and length of The Guppy
The diagram in figure 2 describes that the prevalence of parasitic infection gradually rise along with
the increase of the lenght of the fish. The highest prevalence value is about 10% with the range of
lenght between 7.0 – 7.9 cm then followed by the fish with lenght 6.0 – 6.9 cm with the prevalence
7.6%.
0.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
12.00
4,0 - 4,9 5,0 - 5,9 6,0 - 6,9 7,0 - 7,9
Prevalence (%)
Length of fish (cm)
Figure 2. Parasites Prevalence and length of The Goldfish

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International Conference on Agriculture, Environment, and Food Security IOP Publishing
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The relation between host lenght and the existance of parasite in this study showed that there were
difference pattern between guppy and goldfish prevalence related to the size of their body. The pattern
in gold fish showed that large fish was more susceptible to parasites infection than the small fish and
this work has similarities with the work of [20]. Hence. the given data showed that the smallest fishes
were relatively less infected than the other length groups and the percentage of infection increases
with enhancement of fish length. On the contrary. Guppy fish showed that the smallest fish have the
higher prevalence of paraite infection. Some parasitic diseases namely piscinodiinium infestation most
pathogenic in young fish [15].
The insidence of parasite infection in ornamental fish could be the main problem in ornamental fish
industry in Indonesia particulary in Medan. The identified parasites in this study have not been
reported as a parasitic problem in Medan. Though. the rate of infection in these aquarium fishes was
low. the transmission of contamination among aquarium fishes and customer satisfaction taken into
consideration.The prevention from severe infection should be done such as reducing stress condition
through improved water quality a. reduction of organic matter. avoiding excessive density of fish and
unnecessary manipulation and using appropriate disinfectants in farms can be benefit to avoid
economic losses caused by parasitic disease in ornamental fishes
4. Conclusion
The parasites that infected ornamental both Guppy and Goldfish which was sold in fish market were
four species infected Guppy and one species infected goldfish. These were : Piscinodinium sp.
Gyrodactylus sp. Dactylogyrus sp. and Capillaria sp. The prevalence of Monogenean both
Gyrodactylus sp and Dactylogyrus sp that infect the Guppy is the highest among all the parasites
which is about 14% and 8 %. Goldfish have the fewest parasites which is shown by the lowest
Capillaria sp infection prevalence in was about 2 %. The relation between host lenght and the
existance of parasite in this study showed that there were difference pattern between guppy and
goldfish prevalence related to the size of their body.
The information about advance research in parasitic infection of ornamental fishes is needed along
with the economic value and the burden that caused by it. The routine monitoring in parasitic
prevalence could prevent the huge economic loses caused by parasitic diseases.
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