First report on Asian fish tapeworm (Bothriocephalus acheilognathi) infection of indigenous mahseer (Tor tambra) from Nagan Raya district, Aceh province, Indonesia

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence and intensity of the Asian fish tapeworm, Bothriocephalus acheilognathi on the indigenous mahseer fish Tor tambra. The fish samples were collected from Isiep River, Nagan Raya District as representative of wild population and from aquaculture ponds as representative of captive population. A total of 30 fish samples from Krueng Isep river and 30 fish samples from aquaculture fish ponds were examined in this study. The fish samples were abdominally dissected and the alimentary tracts were taken and perforated. The alimentary contents were placed onto Petri dish and observed for tapeworms. The samples of worm were photographed using stereo microscope. The results showed that the fish samples from aquaculture fishponds were infected by Bothriocephalus acheilognathi with the prevalence and intensity of 53.33% and 8.06, respectively, while no fish from the river was infected by cestoda.