Prevalence of ectoparasites between Tor douronensis (Sabah Mahseer) and Hampala macrolepidota (Hampala Barb) at Kiulu river, Tamparuli, Sabah

This study on the prevalence of ectoparasites on fish was conducted between Tor douronensis (Sabah mahseer) and Hampala macrolepidota (Hampala barb) at Kiulu River. The aim of this study were to identify the ectoparasites species on Tor douronensis (Sabah mahseer) and Hampala macrolepidota (hampala barb) at the study site, to evaluate and compare the prevalence of ectoparasites on Tor douronensis (Sabah mahseer) and Hampala macrolepidota (hampala barb) at the study site, to determine the physico-chemical properties of water at the study site and correlate it with the prevalence of ectoparasites. The study was conducted from two stations based on the habitat of different species of fish. Overall, there were seven species of ectoparasite that found (Ichthyophthirius multifilis, Trichodina multidentis, Myxobilatus cotti, Diplozoon paradoxum, Ergasilus briani, Rhabditis nidrosiensis and Capillaria pterophylli). The prevalence of ectoparasites in Hampala macrolepidota (Hampala barb) was statistically significantly higher than in Tor douronensis (Sabah mahseer) as p = 0.032 (p < 0.05). This was because more samples of Hampala macrolepidota fish were infected by the ectoparasites than Tor douronensis. There were no significant differences for the physico-chemical properties of water at Kiulu River based on different station. This might due to other factors like human activities, natural process or weather fluctuation that affected it. There were correlation of physico-chemical properties of water with the prevalence of ectoparasites on Tor douronensis (Sabah mahseer) and Hampala macrolepidota (Hampala barb). For Tor douronensis (Sabah mahseer), the pH and salinity showed positive correlation while dissolved oxyen showed negative correlation to the prevalence of ectoparasites. For Hampala macrolepidota (Hampala barb), the temperature and pH showed positive correlation while dissolved oxygen and salinity showed negative correlation to the prevalence of ectoparasites. Further studies on fish parasitological research and maintenance of health relationship between fishes and physico-chemical properties of water needed to be implement.