The host specificity and population dynamics of Anguillicola crassus in a number of paratenic hosts were investigated. Various freshwater fish species were sampled monthly (March 1990 to March 1991) from the Kolenhaven (Albertcanal, Genk, Belgium) and examined for L3-larvae of Anguillicola crassus. Sixteen species were found to be infected: all the physoclist species examined (Gymnocephalus cernua, Lepomis gibbosus, Ictalurus nebulosus, Stizostedion lucioperca, Gasterosteus aculeatus, Oreochromis niloticus and Perca fluviatilis) and those physostome species of which a sufficient number could be examined to detect the infection (Gobio gobio, Leuciscus cephalus, Chondrostoma nasus, Leuciscus leuciscus, Alburnus alburnus, Leuciscus idus, Scardinius erytrophthalmus, Rutilus rutilus and Tinca tinca). There were large differences in prevalence among the fish species examined but generally the prevalence was higher in physoclist fishes and was highest in G. cernua (96%). In 4 species there was a significant positive correlation between the fish length and parasite abundance. The percentage of grown larvae varied among fish species, being lowest in G. cernua and highest in P. fluviatilis. No clear seasonal incidence cycle was observed.
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