Browsing by Author "Otachi, Elick Onyango"
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Publication Effect of water quality on the parasite assemblages infecting Nile tilapia in selected fish farms in Nakuru County, Kenya(Springer Nature, 2018-08-03) Ojwala, Renis Auma; Otachi, Elick Onyango; Kitaka, Nzula KivuvaAquaculture has been documented as the fastest developing food industry in Kenya with increased production since the Government initiated the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) in 2009. However, the production has not yet reached the maximum level (20,000 metric tons per year) anticipated in the country. This is due to a number of challenges, top of which is poor water quality resulting from the uncontrolled addition of inputs (fish feeds, inorganic fertilizers, and organic fertilizers) into the ponds. These deteriorate water quality, cause increased incidences of parasite infections, and impede fish production. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of water quality on parasite assemblages infecting Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus 1758) in selected fish farms within Nakuru County from November 2016 to February 2017. Selected physico-chemical parameters namely: dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, conductivity, and turbidity were measured in situ using appropriate meters. Water samples from each fish farm were analyzed for nutrient concentrations using standard methods. A total of 300 fish were examined for parasites. Parasites were counted, preserved, and identified using identification keys and parasitological parameters determined. The results indicated that certain water quality parameters, such as dissolved oxygen, were significantly different for all the six fish farms (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.05). A total of 15 species of parasites were recovered. Trichodina sp. and Cichlidogyrus halli were found in all the studied fish farms. Correspondence analysis revealed that some parasites’ occurrences were highly correlated (positively) with certain water quality parameters. Therefore, regular monitoring and control of water quality in fish ponds are recommended to reduce levels of parasite infestations.Publication Parasite Communities of Oreochromis niloticus baringoensis (Trewavas, 1983) in Relation to Selected Water Quality Parameters in the Hot Springs of Lorwai Swamp and Lake Baringo, Kenya(Springer Nature, 2020-02-19) Adamba, Stephanie Wangare Kamau; Otachi, Elick Onyango; Ong’ondo, Geoffrey OdhiamboPurposeParasite infections may lead to mortalities in fish; therefore, destabilizing the biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Swamps such as the Lorwai Swamp are important water sources, and information on the parasite species infecting Oreochromis nilotocus baringoensis in the hot springs of Lorwai Swamp which have a distinct genetic makeup from their counterparts in Lake Baringo is lacking. The purpose of this study was to provide a knowledge base on the parasite species infecting O. niloticus baringoensis in these springs, facilitate their comparison with those in Lake Baringo and determine their relationship with selected water quality parameters.Methods347 fish were collected and standard parasitological procedures were used to examine the presence of parasites. Physico-chemical parameters were measured in situ and water samples were collected for chlorophyll-a determination and nutrient analyses in the laboratory using standard methods. Relationship between parasitic infections and selected water quality parameters was determined by PCA using SPSS version 22.ResultsTwo parasite species were common in all sites: Cichlidogyrus sclerosus and Clinostomum sp. Some parasites correlated positively with some parameters; Amirthalingamia macracantha and Contracaecum sp. with nitrogen compounds. Others like Clinostomum sp. and Tylodelphys sp. correlated negatively with dissolved oxygen.ConclusionResults from this study showed that there were both positive and negative relationships between some water quality parameters and the prevalence of recovered parasites. O. niloticus baringoensis from Lake Baringo also recorded high parasite prevalence and this calls for sensitization of the public on the risks that may arise from the consumption of undercooked infected fish.Publication Taxonomic status of fish parasites in Kenyan inland water systems and their significance on the freshwater fisheries and aquaculture productivity within the region(Wiley, 2019-10-06) Kibet, Caroline Jepkorir; Donde, Oscar Omondi; Okwiri, Brian; Otachi, Elick OnyangoFish are a resource with great economic, nutritional and recreational benefits to humans on a global scale. In Kenya, fish represent an important source of food and income through trade and employment to many communities. In fact, fish are an important alternative source of animal protein, especially in famine-tolerant arid and semi-arid regions such as Turkana, Marsabit, Pokot and Baringo Counties, where annual drought periodically hampers traditional livestock keeping destitute. Kenya freshwater fishes have remained vulnerable to a variety of parasites and related diseases. Approximately 119 fish parasites have been reported in the country, with about 83 being identified to species level and 35 to genus level. Out of the reported parasites, 77% were detected in wild fish, 8% in farm fish and 15% in both wild and farmed fish. The parasites identified by various studies include protozoa (7), myxozoa (7), nematode (20), monogenean (33), digenean (16), cestoda (15), acanthocephalan (6) and crustacean (15). The highly commercialized fishes, such as Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus, harbour the highest number of parasites, which greatly hinder fisheries and aquaculture productivity through retarded growth, mechanical damages, reduced reproduction rates and increased mortality of the fish hosts. Thus, there is need for adequate information on the taxonomy and ecology of these parasites as a basis for developing appropriate management and policies to control them. This review article is meant to provide an overview of the distribution, occurrence of fish parasites and their impacts on inland water fisheries and aquaculture in Kenya, while also highlighting the available gaps warranting further studies, with the goal of developing appropriate and accurate control measures to improve the region's fisheries and aquaculture productivity and food security.