Occurrence and prevalence of gill parasites of sturgeons in south west of the Caspian Sea

Objective: Sturgeons are important particularly, because of producing the expensive caviar. With regard to decreasing of natural stocks of these fishes, cultured sturgeons farms are expanding, so infectious or noninfectious agents can cause problems in this industry. One of the most important infectious diseases, are parasitic diseases, like gill parasites. Method & Materials: In this study from March 2007 to June 2008, 122 sturgeons of south west of Caspian Sea, 44 samples of juveniles from freshwater farms and 25 samples of cultured fishes in freshwater were collected and examined for parasitic infection. Results & Conclusion: Nitzschia sturionis and Diclybothrium armatum (monogenea) were found on then gills, with general prevalence of 8.7% in Acipenser persicus and 25.6% in Acipenser stellatus from sea sturgeons and Trichodina (sp.1 , sp.2) and Ichthyophthirius multifiliis from freshwater sturgeons, were separated. Statistical analysis was carried out according to species, sex, length and weight of fishes. Pathology, morphometric and morphological characters of Nitzschia sturionis were also studied. At the end, we have suggested ways for health management of farms for prevention of parasites entry.

کلیدواژه ها:

parasite ، Caspian Sea ، sturgeon