New report on trichodiniasis (Protozoa: Ciliophora: Peritrichida) in Jade Perch; scortum barcoo from Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Background: Infestations caused by trichodinids are particularly significant in aquaculture because they are gives serious impact and responsible for causing problem in growth, decreased immune response in vaccinated fish, chronic mortality during production and changes in vision and swimming in larvae and culminating in acute mortality. Objective: This study purposely to report the trichodinid parasites infested the new commercial cultured species; Scrotum barcoo (Jade Perch) for aquaculture industry in Malaysia. The occurrence of Trichodinid parasites infestation were detected after five days upon arriving of the fish. Materials and Methods: Ten samples of Scrotum barcoo were collected from tank-cultured at Sekayu, Kuala Berang, Terengganu, Malaysia (4E57°57.9“N, 102°57°25.9”E). Sampleʼs weight and length were measured, respectively, then were diagnosis directly for ectoparasites. The average weight and length of samples collected are 736.4±89.6 g and 46.6±1.6 cm, respectively. Results: Clinical symptoms of the infestation showed are red lesion on the body, the darkening of body colour, fish exhibited flashing behaviour on the wall and bottom of the tank. Parasites collected was study by observing and drawing of their morphological characteristics. The important parts of the parasites organ were identified for further identifications i.e., denticle which consist denticular ring, blade, cilia, etc. The record of water quality were taken to relate the symptom of the infestations. Conclusion: This study assumed that the inhibiting of this ectoparasites are related to the handling procedures of fish during transportations. Improper acclimatizing procedure during transportations may contribute to the spread of this ectoparasites. Saltwater bath were applied to prevent this parasite from spread. This observationʼs study was first report for trichodinid parasites infestation on the Jade Perch; Scrotum barcoo at the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.