Dang Thuy Binh,Tran Quang Sang, Dang Nguyen Anh Tuan

ABSTRACT

Coral reefs known as high diversity offish and other invertebrates provide ecosystem services, food to coastal populations, and potential medicinal products. Currently, research onparasitic ilifections ingoatfishes (Paropeneus spp.) is limited. In this study, 2goatfish species (P. multifasciatus and P. heptacanthus) were collected at Nha Trang and Cam Ranh Bay (Vietnam), and examined for parasites. So far, based on morphological features, 9parasite species have been documented: 2monogeneans (Haliotrema sp.,Bothitrema sp.), 3 copepods (Caligus sp., Halectinosoma sp., Caligus quadratus), 1 isopod (Gnathia sp.), 1 nematode (Camallanus sp.) and 2 digeneans (Cholepotes sp. and Carneophallus sp.). The specimens of P. heptacanthus were most heavily infected by Haliotrema sp. and Caligus sp. with a prevalence of 100%. Cholepotes sp. and Carneophallus sp. had the lowestprevalence (3.85%). Haliotrema sp. had the highest intensity (227.28); whereas, Cholepotes sp. and Carneophallus sp., which were found in P. multifasciatus, had the lowest value (1). The highly parasite diversity in goatfish may reflect the habitat use and diet of the fish. As important food fish in Vietnam, an in-depth study onparasite composition in goatfish remains necessary.

Keywords: parasite, goatfish, Vietnam, infection