Occurrence of Sea Lice Caligus epinepheli Yamaguti, 1936 (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida) on Gills of Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch, 1791) from North West of the Arabian Gulf.

A total of 188 fish samples of Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch, 1791) were collected from north west of the Arabian Gulf (latitudes 48° 44′ to 48° 46′; longitude 29° 46′ to 29° 47′) during the period from January 2011 till January 2012. The copepod Caligus epinepheli Yamaguti, 1936 was recorded from the gills during most months of the year. Descriptions of adult parasites and chalimi (larval stages of the parasites) were included. Females body length range was 1.38-2.55 (2.16) mm. Egg sac length 0.99-1.80 (1.31) mm, the number of eggs ranged from 13-22 (17) in each egg sac. The range of the males body length was 1.45-1.73 (1.59) mm. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in the infestations of both sexes of the host (except in fish group with body length 18-21cm.).The highest incidence of infestation was recorded during March and June (57.1%), while the lower level of infestation was recorded during December (7.6%). The high intensity of infestation was recorded during April (10), while the lowest intensity of infestation was recorded in December (1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]