Isolation of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Gyrodactylus and Copepoda: Lernaeidae Species from Six Ornamental Fish Species for the First Time in Iraq

Ornamental fish species showed mucous hyperscretion, signs of irritation, slight shedding of scales and large areas of skin hyperaemia. They included brood Goldfish (Carassius auratus; varieties: Common, Fantail, Ryukin, Veiltail and Moor), Black molly (Poecilia sphenops), Gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus), Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri), Guppy (Poecilia reticulata), Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) and brood Suckermouth Algae Eater (Hypostomus plecostomus). They were subjected to gross observation followed by microscopic examination of mucous scrapes from both ides of the body and from the fins. All the examined fish suffered mixed parasitic infestation. Four species of parasites were detected in mucous scrapes of Carassius auratus, Poecilia sphenops, and Trichogaster trichopterus, three of these parasites species in mucus scrapes of Xiphophorus helleri, whereas mucus scrapes of Poecilia reticulata, Pterophyllum scalare and Hypostomus plecostomus contained only two species of these ectoparasites. The results have indicated that three of the encountered parasites, namely Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Gyrodactylus species and Copepoda: Lernaeidae species were recorded for the first time in Iraq. The binomial name of the fourth species could not be identified. The higher incidence percentage of infection 100% was for Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and the unidentified species, followed by 45.45% for Gyrodactylus species and then 36.36% for Copepoda: Lernaeidae species.