STUDIES OF CHILODONELLA CYPRINI SIN. (PISCICOLA) INFECTION (CHILODONELLIDAE, CHILODONELLA) IN THE PREAJBA VALLEY RIVER BASIN (ROMANIA)

Abstract: Ichthyological researches were carried out during the period 2008-2014 in Preajba Valley Basin, situated in Dolj County, 6 km south of Craiova, consisting of the main water course represented by Preajba Valley having a length of 9,6 km and its tributary on the right, Bătrâna Valley with a length of 6,8 km. The main water course joins Jiu through the collector channel Craioviţa. During the period 1976-1979, touristic facilities were made, barring this small tributary of the Jiu, and by this intervention on the minor riverbed of the watercourse, the lakes were created which were provided with dams and surface spillways. The total area of the ten water accumulations on the Preajba Valley is 28 ha. In May 2011, ten lakes were seized using a monofilament mesh suspecting a possible parasite due to the abnormal displacement of fish at the surface of the water, but also their agglomeration in the spill area that regulates the surplus water in the lakes. From the samples obtained, the Chilodonella cyprini parasite was identified in Lake IX in 7 large carp scale specimens (Cyprinus carpio). This ectoparasite is the most common and most dangerous of the protozoa, infecting the skin and the gills, causing the disease called chilodonellosis. Following the microscopic examination, at least three parasites from the tegumentary rash could be seen in the visual field.