PARASITES OF GILLS OF SEA BREAM FARMED IN CAGE SYSTEM

In the spring, summer and autumn of 2009. surveys were conducted with the aim to establish presence and intensity of parasitic fauna on sea bream (Sparus aurata) farmed in Bay of Kotor. The standard parasitological methods were used in the survey. The following three parasites were found on the sea bream gills: Sparicotyle chrisophrii, Amyloodinium ocellatum and Trichodina spp. Sea bream was most frequently invaded by Amyloodinium ocellatum (20.00% of invaded fish), then Trichodina spp.11.11% and Sparicotyle chrisophrii 4.44%. The invasion extensity during period of survey varied, as regards most parasites it was highest in July and September when the sea surface temperature is the highest. The invasion intensity was generally low. The parasites caused no significant damage in the cage system and only minor changes were present in the invaded fish in the form of micro haemorrhages on the gill filaments and increase in mucous secretion.