Parasitic marine copepods

Symptoms

Mucous Hyperproduction
Skin looks opaque or cloudy with production of defensive mucous

Visible Parasites

Visible Parasites
Tiny 0.1 to 30 mm bodies at base of fins

Haemorrhages - fins
Fins are bleeding.

Visible Parasites
Tiny crustaceans can be seen inside the mouth

Hiding abnormally
Fish hides behind rocks or suchlike, appearing seldom if ever.

White nodules on gills
Gills show small nodules of a raised kind.

Abnormal swimming - streaks
Fish swims in short bursts, then stops.

Bloody lesions on body
Body shows one or more bloody lesions, where leeches have eaten into flesh.

Gills bleeding

Rubbing/scratching
Fish constantly rubs or scratches itself against any object available.

Severe Gill damage
The attachment of the Gill lice causes major damage to gill filaments

Salinity full salt water
Normal full salinity salt water.

Causes

Parasitic marine crustacea. Most copepods are benign, but a few are parasitic. If distress is seen, then assume they are parasitic. Some parasitic copepods are also found on fresh water species.

Prognosis

If recognised, no real losses should occur.

Treatment

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Prevention

DNA and RNA diagnostic references

DNA Barcoding of Marine Copepods: Assessment of Analytical Approaches to Species Identification.

From June 23, 2014 Tree of Life.

Leocadio Blanco-Bercial et al.

Institution: Univ. of Connecticut, Dept Mar. Sciences . Groton CT. USA