First record of the nematode, Huffmanela sp. infecting the broomtail wrasse ( Cheilinus lunulatus ) from Egypt

A total of 385 Red Sea coral reef fish representing three species; Broom tail wrasse ( Cheilinus lunulatus ), Blacktip grouper ( Epinephelus fasciatus ) and Rabbit fish ( Siganus sp.). were examined for the presence of nematode Huffmanela species. The eggs of Huffmanela species were isolated and identified only from the C. lunulatus. The total prevalence of Huffmanela sp. infestation were 69.5%. The highest prevalence was observed in winter and the lowest in spring and summer. The prevalence was increased in correlation with fish body weight. Fully developed eggs of Huffmanela species were dark brown embryonated, elongated, with slightly protruding plugs. A high density of Huffmanela sp. eggs with different developmental stages packed the epithelial layer of the gas bladder. The surrounding tissue of gas bladder was hemorrhagic and sometimes necrotic associated with chronic inflammatory cell infiltration. This is the first record of Huffmanela species infestation in Broom tail wrasse C. lunulatus, Red Sea coral reef fishes.