OBJECTIVE: Lernaeids are crustacean parasites that are globally distributed among freshwater and marine fish. Approximately 110 species of Lernaeids have been divided into 14 genera. The most common species of Lernaeids is Lernaea cyprinacea, which has been transmitted to ornamental fish worldwide. The economic importance of L. cyprinacea is increasing because of the epidemic caused by the parasite in most of the ornamental fish breeding centers in different parts of the world. The parasite affects its host's health, decreases growth rate, and causes abnormal metabolic activity. Accumulation of these parasites in some parts of the body causes @entity158 points and has harmful outcomes for the functioning and survival of the host. METHODS: The present study was conducted to examine the prevalence of L. cyprinacea among ornamental fish within 1 year from September-October 2011 to September-October 2012. In total, 3520 fish [3380 mollies (Poecilia latipinna) and 140 swordtails ( @entity23879 )] were collected from 10 fish maintenance and breeding centers in Kerman, Iran. RESULTS: Of 3520 fish, only 186 fish (5.3%) were infected with L. cyprinacea, and the remaining fish (94.7%) were not infected. The swordtails ( @entity23879 ) and mollies (P. latipinna) showed the highest (10.7%) and the lowest (5.1%) level of @entity281 , respectively. In other words, there was a significant correlation between species of fish and L. cyprinacea @entity281 (p<0.05). The highest prevalence (39.4%) and the lowest prevalence (0%) of L. cyprinacea were observed during summer and winter, respectively, which can be attributed to the temperature difference between the two seasons. Also, the histopathologic examination of sections revealed some lesions in the epidermis, dermis, and muscles. CONCLUSION: Considering the existing L. cyprinacea @entity281 in ornamental fish reproduction and breeding centers in Kerman, public knowledge should increase through management methods; physical and chemical treatments should also be applied to inform the public regarding the risk of @entity281 and other internal diseases that may be associated with ornamental fish.

Prevalence and Histopathologic Study of Lernaea cyprinacea in Two Species of Ornamental Fish (Poecilia latipinna and XXXX ) in Kerman, South-East Iran.

@entity281 :: ('MESH:D007239', 'Disease') :: ['infection'] @entity23879 :: ('8084', 'Species') :: ['Xiphophorus helleri', 'X. helleri'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['painful']
@entity23879 :: (8084,Species) :: ['Xiphophorus helleri']
