This study investigated the composition and structure of parasitic communities of Oreochromus niloticus with respect to levels of water quality in three ecosystems. A total of 360 O.niolticus were examined from three water courses. Idku lake (moderately polluted), Edfina; Natural Nile resources (polluted) and Mariout lake (severely polluted). Water samples were collected for determination of some water quality parameters and the concentration of heavy metals. Trematodes ,monogenes, protozoa, crustacea and acanthocephalan were found in all sample sites except Mariout lake where Acanthocephala and metacercaria of Clinostomum were completely absent. Ciliated protozoa predominated the parasitic infestation. The results also indicated that there was an inverse relationship between fish parasites communities and water quality parameters.
Key words: water quality, Oreochromus niloticus, Acanthocephala,Protozoa
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