Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites, Stomach Contents and Condition Factor of Bostrychus africanus (Sleeper gobies) and Periophthalmus papilio (Mudskipper) found in Ikpukulu-Ama Creek, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Aim: Bostrychus africanus and Periophthalmus papilio are important fisheries in parts of southern Nigeria. However, there is a dearth of information on the gastrointestinal helminths of these gobiids, especially from the Ikpukulu-Ama Creek, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. This research was, therefore, necessary to provide information on the parasites as well as stomach content analysis and condition factor of both fish species.

Study Design: A total of 62 Bostrychus africanus and thirty-six (36) Periophthalmus papilio were caught for analysis using basket traps on the mudflats of the creek.

Place and Duration of Study: Sampling was done at the Ikpukulu-Ama Creek, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria in September, 2023.

Methodology: In the laboratory, samples were identified using morphometric characteristics and identification keys and examined for parasites using standard diagnostic techniques.

Results: Nematodes, Raphidascaroides africanus (16.1%), were examined from B. africanus, whereas acanthocephalans, Neoechinorhynchus sp. (2.8%), were observed from P. papilio. The result of this study suggests a parasite preference of B. africanus over P. papilio. Stomach content analysis showed the presence of crab parts and muddy sediments in B. africanus. Condition factor was better in B. africanus (1.1 to 1.8) than in P. papilio (0.7 to 1.1).

Conclusion: There is a dearth of information on the stomach content of P. papilio and therefore, is suggested for future studies, and scientific reasons for the parasite preference of B. africanus over P. papilio should be elucidated.