Impact of Helminth Parasitism on Fish Haematology of Anchar Lake, Kashmir

The present investigation carried out seasonally from March 2004 to February 2006 is an attempt to study the impact of helminth parasitism on fish haematology of Anchar Lake, Kashmir. The fish fauna viz., Schizothorax spp. and Cyprinus spp inhabiting the lake carried cestode, trematode and acanthocephala infestations either singly or mixed. The result showed a mean significant decrease from 9.39±0.18-7.39±0.14 g% in Cyprinus spp. and 10.57±0.23-7.62±0.13 g% in Schizothorax spp. for haemoglobin. Further, a decrease from 2.07±0.03-1.66±0.05 (×106 mm3) in Cyprinus spp. and 2.32±0.02-1.69±0.04 (×106 mm3) in Schizothorax spp. for RBC count in summer season was observed. However, a significant increase in WBC count was observed with a mean increase from 1.58±0.16-3.93±0.33 (×104/mm3) in Cyprinus spp. and 1.56±0.10-2.76±0.27 (×104 mm3) in Schizothorax spp. in summer season. Furthermore, a well marked increase in eosinophils was observed in all the helminth-infected fish fauna. The haematological manifestation of the infected fish are suggestive of anaemia and the eosinophilia may be believed to be associated with defensive and immunological responses of the fish.