author(s)
Petchimuthu M, M Rosalind George, K Riji John, D Kaviarasu and R Dinesh

abstract
A survey was conducted to investigate the prevalence and abundance of parasite infestation of cultured finfish in different fish farms of South Tamil Nadu region during August, 2015 to May, 2016. A total of 215 fishes were first examined for ectoparasites using wet mount under a light microscope. Parasite infestation was present mainly on the gills, skin mucus, pectoral fin, pelvic fin, anal fin and caudal fin of cultured fin fish in the present investigation. Parasitic infestations were harmful and limiting factors in breeding and rearing of ornamental and food fish industry. The most commonly encountered parasites were Argulus sp., Lernaea sp., Dactylogyrus sp., Ichthyophthirus sp., Caligus sp., Capsalid sp. The highest parasite prevalence (34.28%) was observed in the month of May, March and September but lowest (0%) was found in month of August, November and February. The caudal, pectoral, pelvic fins and gills were the favourite target of the parasites. In the current study area, total parasitic infection of food and ornamental fishes were found with a prevalence of 21.86% and abundance of 1.60. The current study also revealed that the monogenean infections are very common among ornamental fishes.