[01] S. Omeji, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. [02] R. A. Obande, Department of Fisheries Technology, Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Baga, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. [03] S. T. Member, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

Endoparasites of Synodontis shcall and Synodontis ocellifer (Upside-down cat fish) from Lower River Benue were investigated. Four parasites (Eustrongylides sp, Procamallanus sp, Microsporidian sp and Diphilobotrium latum) were recovered from the stomach and intestine of the sampled fish species. Of the 658 identified from the two species of synodontis used for the study, Nematodes accounted for 48.48%, cestode (25.53%) and protozoa (25.99%). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the parasite load between the two species of fish. It was observed that the intestine of the sampled fish had higher percentage parasite load than the stomach. The females of both fish species had higher parasitic prevalence (52.22% and 53.27%) than the males (47.77% and 46.27%) respectively. Highest percentage parasite infestations of 73.52% for S. Schall and 54.60% for S. Ocellifer were recorded in the length group between 28.1-38.0cm while the least (1.87% and 6.53% were recorded in the length group between 38.1-48.0cm for both species respectively. Variations in parasite loads existed among the weight ranges of the fish species.

Endoparasites, Synodontis shcall, Synodontis ocellifer, Lower River Benue

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