Comparison of helminth infection between the sexes of Clarias batrachus (LINN.) from Rupandehi, Nepal

One hundred and twenty specimens of catfish Clarias batrachus were examined for parasites. They comprise sixty specimens each of males and females. 25(41.67%) males and 25(41.67%) females showed parasitic infection. A total of seventy six intestinal helminthes belonging to three taxonomic groups were recovered. They are cestodes – Lytocestus indicus, Pseudocaryophyllaeus clariae; nematodes – Paracamallanus sp., Procamallanus cancilus and acanthocephalan – Acanthocentis sp. Of these, twenty nine were recovered from males and forty seven from females. Total prevalence of infection was the same for both sexes but total intensity of infection was different. There was no statically significant difference in the infection between the two sexes.