Exploring the Influence of Changing Environmental Factors and Water Parameters on Epibiont Parasites of Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Abstract

Recently, the culture of the giant freshwater prawn,Macrobrachium rosenbergii is growing in India and also West Bengalinspecific, owing to its comparatively fast growth rate, great market, and export demand. The currentresearch on parasitic diseases in freshwater prawns has got less consideration compared topenaeid prawns. The present study on Macrobrachium rosenbergii from coastal West Bengalencountered 14 species of parasites. Among the protozoan parasites, Zoothamniumsp., Epistylissp., Vorticellasp,and a suctorian Acinetasp., the most commonly observed were ciliate infections which occurred as epibiont on gills and appendages of the host.The invasion of peritrich ciliate infestations in prawnscan affect normal physiological behavior like respiration, feeding, growth, and even the survival rate. In the currentstudy, parasitic infections were pragmaticduring the year (2022-23), we also concentrated on some physical parameters like pH, Temperature (˚C), and salinity (ppt), variations of these parameters will affect the larval growth rate and survival rate in hatchery system.Developing the right kind of intervention andmanagement practice can prevent the adverse impact of diseases and assist poor farmers in sustainableproduction.