THE PREVALENCE OF LERNAEID ECTOPARASITES IN MORI (CIRRHINUS MRIGALA) FISH

During the present study, 600 fish were examined for Lernaeid ectoparasites at a commercial fish farm in Multan, Pakistan. Out of 600 fish, only 63 were infested with Lernaea cyprinacea and 74 were infested with L. polymorpha. The overall prevalence of L. cyprinacea and L. polymorpha were 10.50 and 12.33%, respectively. L. cyprinacea had highest prevalence (15.38%) in 2100-2500g body weight of fish group, while it was lowest (4.65%) in 100-500g body weight fish group. L. polymorpha had the highest prevalence (23.07%) in body weight group of 2100-2500g, while the lowest (11.56%) in 600-1000g fish weight group. L. cyprinacea showed highest prevalence (12.87%) in fish length group of 31-45 cm, while the lowest prevalence (0%) was in 61-75 cm fish length group. L. polymorpha had the prevalence of 13.0 and 0% in fish length groups of 46-60 cm and 61-75 cm, respectively.