Occurrence of Trypanosoma in Nile tilapia in Lake Victoria, Kenya

Abstract

Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) and Lates niloticus (Nile perch) are the most abundant species and economically important fish in Lake Victoria. The former are omnivores and the latter are carnivorous. The carrier status of haemoparasites in fish was investigated in 22 randomly selected fish specimens, 12 Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) and 10 Lates niloticus (Nile perch). Live fish were bought from Homabay on the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya. All the fish were bled by cardiac puncture using a 22 gauge needle. Thin blood smears were made, stained with Giemsa and observed under a light microscope. About 42% of Nile tilapia and 0% Nile perch were found to be infected with Trypanosoma spp. Oreochromis niloticus seems to be more susceptible to Trypanosoma spp. infection than the L. niloticus.