Abstracto

Parasitic Burden of some Fresh Water Fishes of River Sindh in Kashmir in Relation to Season

Ibraq Khurshid, Fayaz Ahmad

This study was conducted to investigate the parasitic distribution of some fishes (Schizothorax spp.) of river Sindh. This study was conducted for a period of two years from September 2011 to August 2013. During this period a total of 185 specimens of Schizothorax niger, 166 specimens of S. esocinus, 193 specimens of S. labiatus and 162 specimens of S. curvifrons were examined in four different seasons. In case of S. niger, prevalence was highest in summer (40.4%) and least in winter (2.5%). S. esocinus also showed the same pattern of infection with highest in summer (42.3%) and lowest in winter (3.0%). Prevalence of infection was also highest (39.5%) in summer and lowest in winter (3.8%) in case of S. labiatus. Out of 162 S. curvifrons examined, 38 were found infected with highest prevalence (44.6%) in summer and lowest (5.7%) in winter. Stastical analysis of the data was done using chi-square test. Parasitological analysis revealed that highest prevalence during this endeavour occurred in summer and lowest in winter in all fish species and the data was found to be statically significant (P<0.05).