Lernea - Anchor worm

A) Copepod

B) Infects all freshwater fish and is a serious problem in cyprinids (bait minnows, goldfish, and carp).

C) Clinically the parasite invades the skin, usually at the base of a fin. The head develops into an anchor that holds the female in place. The female then develops egg sacs (two fingerlike projections attached to the end of the body). The ulcers are slow to heal.

D) Other copepods such as Ergasilus sp. are found on the gills and cause serious gill damage.
 

 Argulus - Fish louse (Branchiura)

A) Parasite of the skin and occasionally bucal cavity.

B) Cutaneous ulcers due to piercing of epidermis by the retractile preoral stylet (a proboscis-like mouth).
 

 Gyrodactylus sp.

A) Monogenetic trematode; flattened and leaf-like, no eye spot, cephalic end V shaped, has an attachment organ (haptor) and two large anchors with 16 marginal hooklets.

B) Affects most species of fish.

C) Fluke anchors itself to skin, fins, and gills which may cause excessive mucus secretions over gills and skin. Fish may undergo flashing and have fraying of fins. Severe infection (gills) may cause the fish to become dyspneic and die.

D) Life cycle is direct. The larva are released and attach almost immediately to the host.
 

 Dactylogyrus

A) Monogenetic trematode; flattened and leaf-like, four anterior eyespots, cephalic end scalloped, ova present, has an attachment organ (haptor).

B) Affects most freshwater species, particularly carp and goldfish.

C) Fluke anchors to gills causing excessive mucous secretions, and frayed edges. Fish become anoxic with flaring of the gill opercula.

D) Life cycle is direct. The adults are oviparous and produce eggs with long filaments. The eggs are usually attached to the gills. The eggs develop into a onchomiricidium which then attaches to the fish.
 

 Diplostomum spathaceum (Eye fluke)

A) Digenetic fluke; metacercaria is infective state in fish.

B) Gulls and pelicans are the definitive host. Snails (Lymnaea) are the first intermediate host. Fish (salmonids) are the second intermediate host.

C) Clinically the metacercaria are presented as white dots; later the eye becomes opaque. Blindness occurs in severe infections. The metacercaria are found in the anterior chamber, vitreous body, and lens causing cataracts.
 

 Uvulifer ambloplitis (Black spot disease)

A) Digenetic fluke; metacercaria infect fish.

B) Herons and kingfishers are the definitive host, snails are the first intermediate host. Fish are the second intermediate host.

C) Clinically the fish have numerous black to brown spots up to 1 mm (dia) over the skin, gills and eyes. The spots contain a metacercaria surrounded by heavily pigmented fibrous connective tissue.
 

 Acanthocephalus (Thorny headed worm)

A) Pomphorhynchus sp. and Acanthocephalus sp.

B) Acanthocephalans are observed in many species of fresh water and marine fish. Adult parasites live in the intestine. The larval second intermediate stage encyst in the liver, spleen or mesentery.

C) Heavy infections are observed in feral fish. Infected fish may not show signs. However, some fish are emaciated and have swollen abdomens. In heavy infections, raised subserosal nodules may be observed in the gut. These nodules may have the proboscis attached. Histologically, a severe granulomatous reaction is associated with the nodules. If the parasite penetrates the serosa a peritonitis may occur.

D) The life cycle is complex involving an amphipod as the first intermediate host. Small fish are believed to be the second intermediate host.
 

 Anisakis

The parasite causes little problem in fish. However, in man it can be a serious public health threat. Brown and white larva (third stage) are observed in the viscera and musculature of fish. Many marine mammals are the definitive host with this nematode living in the stomach.