A study on gill and skin ectoparasites identification in suckermouth catfish (Hypostomus plecostomus) imported into Iran

In order to high diversity of aquarium fishes, some species should prepare from abroad. Through the importations, disease transmission will be rampant. External parasites is one of the important difficulties in aquarium fish keeping. In this research 180 imported suckermouth catfish (Hypostomus plecostomus) from South-East Asia were examined for gill and skin ectoparasites in spring 2017. The samples were transferred with their original water. Parasites identification were done with the direct observing with light microscope, staining and slide preparing to determination with their keys. 58 out of fish have no parasite (32.22%) and 122 fish have gill /skin ectoparaites (67.78%). Four parasites species were identified, e.g. three protozoans and one monogenean. The protozoans were Trichodina sp., Trichophrya sp. and Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and the monogenean was Gyrodactylus sp. Trichophrya was only obsereved in skin, but the others were present in gill and skin. Among these, external parasites have high speed transmission, then it is recommended to investigate new fish for such pathogens, as well as their health certificate.