Management practices and risk factors associated with parasitic infestations in farmed Nile tilapia in Bomet and Kericho counties, Kenya
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The aquaculture has surged in Kenya owing to dwindling wild stocks. However, this is coupled with
challenges such as limited fish health knowledge and biosecurity measures. A cross sectional study was
undertaken to determine risk factors and management practices associated with parasitic infestation of
farmed Nile tilapia in Bomet and Kericho counties, Kenya. A total of 150 Nile tilapia (Oreochromis
niloticus) were collected and subjected to standard parasitological examination. Potential risk factors
associated with parasitic infestation in fish were assessed in 88 farms using pretested semi-structured
questionnaires and on-site farm visit observations. Logistic regression analysis with the estimation of
odds ratios (OR) was used to assess potential risks factors. Tilapia were dominant fish (>95%) and were
farmed mainly in earthen ponds (> 61%). Most farmers (52.3%) used river water for ponds and 14% had
experienced floods that introduced predators in the ponds. Farmers relied on fisheries department
harvesting nets and only 12.5% sun dried the nets after use. Few farmers (37.5%) frequently cleaned and
dried ponds before restocking, while 34.1% did not remove the pond bottom soil after fish harvesting.
Approximately 3.4% of the farmers rated diseases as the main obstacle in fish farming and, 68.2% could
not identify sick fish. Those who identified sick fish reported abnormal swimming (23.9%) and mortality
(8%). Out of the 150 fish sampled, 62 (prevalence = 42%) were found to be infected with different
genera of parasites including: Dactylogyrus spp. (21%); Epistylis spp. (7.3%); Riboscyphidia spp.
(6.7%); Trichodina spp. (6%); Paracamallanus spp. (4.7%); Camallanus spp. (2%); Diplostomum spp.
(2%) and Contracaecum spp. (1.3%). Dactylogyrus spp. were common in earthen ponds (91%)
(p<0.001). Some management practices identified as possible risk factors for parasitic infestation in fish
included; pond fertilization using livestock manure (OR=5.633), siting fish ponds in valleys/gullies
(OR=2.028), use of river water for aqua farming (OR=1.654) and earthen pond types (OR=2.023).
Farmers and extension workers should be trained on the importance of fish health and biosecurity. The
authors recommend further detailed longitudinal controlled studies which consider myriad fish husbandry
practices with parasitic infestations.
Citation
Finnan Ageng’o, Robert M. Waruiru, Philip N. Nyaga, Daniel W Wanja, Nicodemus M Kamuti, Edith A. Keya, JACOB WAINAINA, Paul G Mbuthia, MERCY MATUMA HAMISI, Vishnumurthy Mohan Chadag, Shimaa Ali, Beatrice M. Munde. (1/5/2024). Management practices and risk factors associated with parasitic infestations in farmed Nile tilapia in Bomet and Kericho counties, Kenya. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 12 (3), pp. 60-68.
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Author(s) ORCID(s)
Vishnumurthy Mohan Chadag https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2574-284X
Shimaa El Sayed Mohamed Ali https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0227-8124
Shimaa El Sayed Mohamed Ali https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0227-8124
Date available
2024
Type
Publisher
AkiNik Publications