Parasites of commercially-important marine fish cultured in the Philippines

Abstract

The commercially-important cultured marine fish, orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides), mangrove red snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) and rabbitfish (Siganus guttatus), were examined at regular intervals to screen for their associated parasite fauna. Culture and collection sites included hatcheries, earthen ponds and floating cages in Panay Island, Philippines. Wild fish from water supply canals of fishponds, as well as near the vicinity of floating cages, were also collected and examined for parasites. The host-parasite relationship was also determined for some significant parasites. Similar parasite fauna was recovered both in wild and cultured fish indicating that the former is a potential reservoir of these organisms. Most of the parasites recovered are management-related problems and can be prevented through practice of good husbandry and management techniques.