News

04 December 2017 - Red Tilapia is a common freswater species cultured by farmers in Malaysia. Lately, farmers are culturing red tilapia in marine environment as it fetches a better market price. Culturing of red tilapia in marine environment was reported in Perak (2012) and Kelantan (2014). A study was carried out on the presence of crustacean parasites in red tilapia cultured at marine environment in Laguna Sri Tujuh, Kelantan. Samples collected at the site indicare only Caligus sp. of crustacean ectoparasite was presence. The Caligus species was never reported in the freshwater cultured red tilapia in Malaysia. Parasitic infection in marine cultured were identified as Caligus epidemicus with prevalence of 100% and mean intensity of 19 parasites per fish. The examined red tilapia showed 60% had ulcer on the body. The finding highlights an urgent need to review the introduction of culturing strain red tilapia in marine environment. The current information can enhances our knowledge on ectoparasitic infestation scenario of red tilapia cultured in marine environment which can help to formulate a more structured control programme of parasite diseases.