The blood-sucker is one of 24 new species of the killer parasite Cymothoa exigua which stays alive by feeding on its host from the inside.
The parasite, discovered in Turkey, starts off by drinking the fish's blood like a vampire.
The parasite, discovered in Turkey, starts off by drinking the fish's blood like a vampire.
The tongue-eating louse is native to the Gulf of California, as well as parts of the Atlantic.
The crustacean invades its host through the gills and attaches to the inside of the mouth using its strong claws.
It then drinks blood from the tongue, eventually draining so much of it that the organ dies, falls off and it erupts from its body.
Species of the Cymothoa exigua attach to a fish's skin, gills, and tongues and prevent both feeding and development of the fish, Professor Dr Argun Akif Ozak of the Fish Diseases Department at Cukurova University said.
The fish can also be killed by the parasite.
Most fish are usually infected by more than one of the parasites, which can breed inside them.
The Cymothoa exigua can even change their sex at will in order to ensure they can reproduce.
This typically takes place when the parasites move to the fish's gills.
Dr Ozak says each of the parasite species, which are related to shrimp and crabs, feeds differently.
"While one species prefers sea bass, another prefers bluefish," he said.
Explaining how fish may take them in, Dr Ozak added: "When fish take water into their mouths for respiration, they also take these larvae in.
"Another way is that these parasites can grab hold of the fish when it passes over them, as these parasites are susceptible to light."
After attaching to their 'victim', the parasites start to grow and can reach up to 5cm in length.
It then drinks blood from the tongue, eventually draining so much of it that the organ dies, falls off and it erupts from its body.
Species of the Cymothoa exigua attach to a fish's skin, gills, and tongues and prevent both feeding and development of the fish, Professor Dr Argun Akif Ozak of the Fish Diseases Department at Cukurova University said.
The fish can also be killed by the parasite.
Most fish are usually infected by more than one of the parasites, which can breed inside them.
The Cymothoa exigua can even change their sex at will in order to ensure they can reproduce.
This typically takes place when the parasites move to the fish's gills.
Dr Ozak says each of the parasite species, which are related to shrimp and crabs, feeds differently.
"While one species prefers sea bass, another prefers bluefish," he said.
Explaining how fish may take them in, Dr Ozak added: "When fish take water into their mouths for respiration, they also take these larvae in.
"Another way is that these parasites can grab hold of the fish when it passes over them, as these parasites are susceptible to light."
After attaching to their 'victim', the parasites start to grow and can reach up to 5cm in length.
It’s not thought to be dangerous to humans, although the critter can bite if picked up alive.
Mehmet Nuri Kilic, who has been fishing for 20 years, said the fish lice are generally seen in farmed fish: "It affects the nutrition of the fish and weakens them.
"The body of a fish with parasites is noticeably weak. When you catch the fish, it would not feel firm but rather puny."
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Source: The Sun, Kory Evans, Cukurova University
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patryn.worldlatestnews
Mehmet Nuri Kilic, who has been fishing for 20 years, said the fish lice are generally seen in farmed fish: "It affects the nutrition of the fish and weakens them.
"The body of a fish with parasites is noticeably weak. When you catch the fish, it would not feel firm but rather puny."
Source: The Sun, Kory Evans, Cukurova University
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patryn.worldlatestnews
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