A Study of Parastes of Three Imported Ornamental Fishes Conducted in Limpopo Province, South Africa ^†

Invasive alien species pose a significant threat to biodiversity in the area where they have been introduced. In South Africa, most of ornamental fishes sold are imported from other countries. The parasites of alien species can be transported along with their hosts and become co-invasive. An invasive parasite from Asia, Camallanus cotti was reported in Africa for the first time in the year 2017 from the guppy, an ornamental fish which established a feral population. This is proof that ornamental fish may introduce alien parasites. Three ornamental fish species were imported (Red rainbowfish, pearl gourami and clown loach) from Indonesia. Standard methods were used for the dissection of fish, examination, fixation and preservation of parasites. The prevalence and mean intensity of different parasites of each fish species were determined and they were identified to genus and species level where possible. Nematodes (Camallanus cotti and Procamallanus sp), cestodes (Neogryporhynchus cheilancristrotus and Dendrouterina herodiae), a copepod (Lernaea cyprinacea) and monogeneans were found from the imported fishes. Two new species of monogeneans (here named Ancyrocephalidae sp. 1 and Ancyrocephalidae sp. 2) not belonging to any established genus were discovered. Cestodes were only found from pearl gourami and the copepod from red rainbowfish. The clown loach had no parasites. Red rainbowfish had the highest prevalence and mean intensity for mongeneans and nematodes.