DAO 51:157-159 (2002)  -  doi:10.3354/dao051157

ABSTRACT: Larval nematode infections were investigated in 236 fish from 17 estuarine and near-shore species in southwestern Australia. Larvae of the genus Contracaecum were found in 4 species of fish (Acanthopagrus butcheri, Sillaginodes punctata, Mugil cephalus and Aldrichetta forsteri). The prevalence and intensity of infection was highest in the 2 species of mullet: 81% infected and 9.8 ± 1.5 larvae fish^-1 for M. cephalus; 100% and 12.7 ± 3.7 larvae fish^-1 for A. forsteri. There was no evidence of post-mortem migration of worms from the visceral organs to the musculature of the fish.

KEY WORDS: Nematodes · Inshore fish · Anisakidae · Contracaecum