Impact of Experimental Infection with Gyrodactylus Species on the Density of Skin Mucus in Fries of Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) with Emphasis on the Pathological Changes

This study aimed to determine the effect of experimental infection of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) with Gyrodactylus sp. on the density of mucous cells "goblet cells" in the skin. Experimental infection of catfish fries was carried out with Gyrodactylus sp. , collected by dislodgment from heavy infected catfish and placed with 100 naive catfish fries for 10 hours. One day post infection, fries were microscopically examined, prevalence was 100%. The infected fries were observed for 6 weeks for clinical signs, density of parasites, site of infection and density of mucous cells in the skin. The study reveled that, high density of infection with Gyrodactylus sp. increased the density of mucous cells in the skin of catfish (Clarais gariepinus) fries. Maximum infection was recorded at day 18, while the maximum density of goblet cells was recorded at 15-20 day. Caudal fins was the highest site of infection, while the abdomen was the lowest site of infection. It was concluded that the experimental infection of catfish with gyrodactylus led to an increase mucification by increase in mucous cell density and increased secretions of mucous.