Prevalence, Mean Intensity and Abundance of Ectoparasites in Cage-cultured Nile Tilapia in Ghana

Ectoparasites of cage-cultured tilapia in Ghana

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4314/tme2n056

Keywords:

Fish parasites, Infestations, Fish farms, Volta Lake

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence, mean intensity, and abundance of ectoparasites in cage-cultured Nile tilapia in Volta Lake, Asuogyaman District, Ghana. Data on the peak infestation periods were collected using structured questionnaires administered to 30 cage farms. Five farms were purposively selected for monthly parasitological examinations over six months (February to July 2023), with 30 fish sampled from each farm per month. Ectoparasites were identified morphologically using taxonomic keys, and infestation parameters were estimated. The survey responses revealed two peak infestation periods: a major peak from February to March, and a minor peak from November to January. The ectoparasites identified included Trichodina, Ichthyophthirius, Dactylogyrus, Gyrodactylus, Cichlidogyrus, Diplostomum, Myxosporean, and Argulus. Significant monthly variations were observed in both the prevalence (p = 0.004) and abundance (p = 0.0495), with the highest levels observed in March. The percent prevalence, mean intensity, and relative abundance ranged from 3.3% to 51.77%, 0.51 to 2.04 and 1.7 to 4.4%, respectively. Trichodina was the most prevalent, intensive, and abundant ectoparasite genus. This study recommends longer-term seasonality work to better understand infestation trends and the identification of ectoparasites at the species level using molecular tools. Also, farmers should increase monitoring and apply preventive measures before and during peak infestation periods (February-March and November-January).

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Author Biographies

  • Abigail Amankwah, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

    Dr. Collins Prah Duodu is a Senior Lecturer and researcher at the University of Ghana’s Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences. Holding a PhD in Aquaculture from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, he has over 13 years of specialized expertise in fish nutrition and production. An experienced leader bridging academia and industry, Dr. Duodu directs impactful research and development projects through extensive stakeholder engagement. His distinguished consulting and advisory roles include serving as the Local Consultant Lead for the Blue Food Partnership Ghana Initiative and as a subject matter expert for the Blue Food Innovation Hub. Furthermore, he is a dedicated contributor to the broader scientific community, frequently organizing, moderating, and guiding regional and national aquaculture conferences.

  • Samuel Addo, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

    Prof. Samuel Addo is an Associate Professor of Aquaculture at the University of Ghana, bringing over two decades of expertise in aquatic animal health, fisheries science, and sustainable aquaculture. Holding a PhD in Aquaculture from Auburn University, his career is defined by a commitment to bridging rigorous academic research with impactful policy and industry practices. A recognized leader in the field, Prof. Addo has spearheaded numerous international research and capacity-building initiatives across Africa, notably serving as a Principal Investigator and coordinator for major NORAD- and WorldFish-funded projects. His extensive leadership portfolio includes tenures as Head of the Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences and Chair of Ghana's National Aquaculture Committee. He is a prolific contributor to the scientific community, publishing extensively and dedicating himself to the mentorship of MSc, MPhil, and PhD candidates.

  • Collins Prah Duodu, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

    Abigail Amankwah is a dedicated aquaculture researcher and practitioner specializing in fish parasitology and sustainable aquaculture systems. She holds an MPhil in Aquaculture from the University of Ghana and a BSc in Aquaculture and Water Resources Management from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). Her academic background is grounded in practical research, most notably her extensive studies on parasitic infestations in cage-cultured Nile tilapia within Ghana. As the Hatchery Farm Manager at Oceanography and Fisheries Limited (OCFS), she effectively bridges the gap between scientific research and commercial aquaculture operations. She is driven by a commitment to optimizing fish production systems and advancing global food security through sustainable, evidence-based management practices.

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Published

09/28/2026

Issue

 Online first articles 

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Abigail Amankwah, Samuel Addo, Collins Prah Duodu

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Articles published in the JUST are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0).

How to Cite

Prevalence, Mean Intensity and Abundance of Ectoparasites in Cage-cultured Nile Tilapia in Ghana: Ectoparasites of cage-cultured tilapia in Ghana. (2026). Journal of Science and Technology, 102-120. https://doi.org/10.4314/tme2n056