• P. Anil Kumar
• M.Vasantha Lakshmi
• B.Chakravarthi

Carangid, any fish of the family Carangidae (order Perciformes), which contains more than 200 species of marine fishes, including such well-known forms as the jacks and pompanos. Carangids are swift, predatory, usually silvery fishes found throughout the world in warm and tropical regions. They are primarily marine, but some live in brackish water or may invade fresh water. The members of the family vary greatly in form, from elongated and streamlined to very deep-bodied and thin from side to side. In general, however, they bear the following features in common: two dorsal fins, the first of which may be reduced to a few small spines; anal and second dorsal fins usually high in front; first two anal spines separated from the third; pectoral fins slim and often sickle-shaped; tail base very slender; tail strong, either forked or crescent-shaped; scales small; and a lateral line (a series of small sense organs along the sides of the body) often partly or wholly covered with large, hard, keeled scales (scutes). In the present study, 68 fishes were infested out of 544 specimens examined from six different species of Carangid fishes which were collected from Manginapudi coastal waters. Eight species of parasitic copepods were found on gill filaments, body surface and nasal capsule regions. The maximum prevalence was recorded in Carangoides malabaricus (22.5 %) and minimum was noticed in (2.4 %) Selaroides leptolepis. The intensity of infection ranged from 1 to 1.2. Thus, considerable variation in the respiratory area was observed owing to the attachment of parasites in the infected fishes. Caligus sp. and C. epidemicus parasites were attached to body surface and only one Sphyriid sp. parasites were found in nasal capsule region. It is very difficult to estimate the actual harm to fish caused by the presence of parasites; if this is uneasy in cultured fish, it is almost impossible in feral fish populations. It should also be emphasized that the presence of a parasite does not necessarily imply manifestation of a disease. In aquaculture, some parasites are able to reproduce rapidly and heavily infect a large proportion of fish which may lead to diseases with significant economic consequences.

Carangoides, Copepod parasites, Mode of attachment, Respiratory surface area, Gill rack count, Manginapudi

" Parasitic copepods in Carangid fishes from Manginapudi Coastal Waters Machilipatnam, A.P, India", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no.2338-2349, May-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1905U30.pdf

" Parasitic copepods in Carangid fishes from Manginapudi Coastal Waters Machilipatnam, A.P, India", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no. pp2338-2349, May-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1905U30.pdf