Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Parasites can provide information about host population ecology. In fisheries biology, for example, parasite communities can be used to distinguish distinct populations of the same fish species co-inhabiting a region. [9] Additionally, parasites possess a variety of specialized traits and life-history strategies that enable them to colonize hosts.
Manual removal of the parasite is one of the surest ways to get rid of it; this can be done by holding the fish in the hand and removing the parasites with a pair of tweezers, being careful not to break the tail off leaving the head embedded and dipping the fish back into water every few seconds so it can breathe. Sometimes the parasite can ...
The motile cercaria larva is released by the first intermediate host, typically a snail, and parasitizes a second intermediate host, where it encysts into a metacercaria. Finally, the adult flatworm typically inhabits the alimentary system or other body cavity of a fish. [3] The families of Bucephaloidea are Bucephalidae and Nuitrematidae. [4]
Bucephalidae is a family of trematodes that parasitize fish. They lack suckers, having instead a muscular organ called a "rhynchus" at the front end which they use to attach to their hosts. They lack suckers, having instead a muscular organ called a "rhynchus" at the front end which they use to attach to their hosts.
Unlike mammals, the red blood cells of fish have DNA, and can become infected with viruses. The fish develop pale gills, and may swim close to the water surface, gulping for air. However, the disease can also develop without the fish showing any external signs of illness, the fish maintain a normal appetite, and then they suddenly die.
The parasite can infect most freshwater fish species and, in contrast to many other parasites, shows low host specificity. It penetrates gill epithelia, skin and fins of the fish host and resides as a feeding stage (the trophont) inside the epidermis .
An in vitro experiment found that Melafix, as well as the cajeput oil and an emulsifier used in the product tested separately, were as effective against the parasite as the antihelminthic drug Levamisole. An in vivo experiment found Melafix highly effective against the parasite when used in combination with another product from the company ...
The infected fish also becomes lethargic, swims near the surface, and its appetite decreases. [10] Additionally the infected fish may hold its gill covers open and scratch its gills on rocks. [14] In severe infections, Dactylogyrus species can cause hemorrhaging and metaplasia of the gills which can lead to secondary bacterial infections and ...