Selected parasites of silver kob (Argyrosomus inodorus) (Actinopterygii: Sciaenidae) from northern Namibia

The present study reports five metazoan parasites recorded from silver kob (Argyrosomus inodorus). Five fish were collected monthly (n =55) for 11 months in 2017-2018 (excluding July 2017) using conventional angling gear in Toscanini, Mile 108 and Henties Bay, northern Namibia. Fish were examined individually for ecto- and endo-parasites. Photomicrographs, drawings and measurements of parasites were made using a camera lucida and calibrated eyepiece of an Olympus (BX50) compound microscope and/or a Zeiss (Discovery V8) camera calibrated on a Leica dissecting microscope. Amongst species found, monogeneans including Diplectanum sciaenae van Beneden & Hesse, 1863, two species of Calceostoma van Beneden, 1858, one species of Sciaenacotyle Mamaev, 1989 and one acanthocephalan Corynosoma australe Johnston, 1937 were found and are reported here. This is the first study of parasites found from silver kob of the Atlantic Ocean. Silver kob has potential to be used as a mariculture species. In addition to mariculture, information obtained from this study may also be used as a baseline for stock structure and biological tagging. Significance: Silver kob has potential to be used as a mariculture species. Information obtained from this study will therefore form awareness to future mariculture silver kob farmers in terms of parasites that can infest and infect silver kob, hence making it possible to apply specific prevention and control measures. In addition to mariculture, results obtained from this study may be used as a baseline for biological tagging for stock structure assessment using parasites.

Automated summary

This study reports five metazoan parasites found in silver kob, marking the first time some of these species have been discovered in silver kob from the Atlantic Ocean. The findings highlight the potential of silver kob as a mariculture species and provide valuable information for future mariculture practices, particularly in terms of understanding and preventing parasite infestation. Additionally, the results from this study can be used as a baseline for assessing stock structure using parasite data.