Aquaculture, particularly in Indonesia, is vital for food security and livelihoods. However, ectoparasites pose a significant threat to fish health and productivity. Nile Tilapia, a high-value freshwater fish, is prone to ectoparasites, impacting its growth and survival. Studying their prevalence and impact is crucial for effective disease management and sustainable aquaculture practices. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and intensity of ectoparasites in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) infecting them in one community fish pond. Twenty fishes were collected using purposive sampling technique in aquaculture ponds in PBIAT Janti village on April 2024. Identification of parasites was performed based on their morphology according to the standard method. In this study, various ectoparasites were identified, including four taxa: protozoans, nematodes, leeches, and monogeneans. The identified protozoan parasites included Cryptobia sp., Ichthyopthirius multifiliis, Epistylis sp., Piscinoodinium sp., Oodinium sp., Trypanosoma sp., and Ichthyobodo necator. Monogenean parasites identified were Pseudodactylogyrus and Cichlidogyrus, the nematode parasite was Capillaria sp., and Z. arugamensis was identified as a leech parasite. The overall prevalence of these parasites was calculated to be 65%, with an intensity value of 3.23%. Among these, protozoans, particularly Oodinium sp., were the most prevalent, posing significant threats to fish health and economic well-being.
