Prevalence of helminth parasites in digestive tract of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) broodstock in the southern coasts of the Caspian Sea

This study was done to identify the intestinal worm parasites of the 100 Persian Sturgeon broodstocks from Marjani, Rajai and Beheshti fish farms during April and May 2011. Three parasite species were collected from the intestine of the fish including Skrjabinopsoles semiarmatus, Cucullanus sphaerocephalus and Anisakis sp. Cucullanus sphaerocephalus showed the highest incidence with average intensity (with prevalence of 76%) and Anisakis sp. had lowest prevalence 4%. The prevalence of C. sphaerocephalus and S. semiarmatus in males were higher than the females whereas the average intensity of these parasites was higher in females. Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between the infestation by S. Semiarmatus and fish sex (P<0.05).