Exploring the Parasite Biodiversity in Climbing Perch () in Buriram, Thailand: Morphological-Based Characterization.

Abstract

is an amphibious freshwater fish species native to Thailand, which is afflicted by protozoan and metazoan infections. This study was aimed at identifying the presence of parasites infrom Thung Lam Natural Reservoir in Buriram Province, Thailand, between November 2022 and January 2023. The analysis of 120 climbing perches indicated a 100% prevalence of parasitic infections. Four species from three phyla and four genera were detected:, a monogenean trematode found on gill filaments, and three intestinal parasites:(Acanthocephala),sp. (trematode), and(Nematode). The respective prevalence rates were 100% for, 83.33% for, 63.33% for, and 26.67% forsp. Despite the widespread parasitism, no symptoms of illness were observed in the fish hosts. This investigation underscores the high prevalence of fish-borne helminthic infections in Buriram Province, Thailand.