rockfish parasite?

shorefisherman · Feb 25, 2009

ive caught some rockfish 2day and was wonderin about those parasites in their mouth.....the ones that have a little head and two legs, now ive noticed this before but never paid any attention to it as some have it and some dont...just wonderin what it izzzz!
as im Doof n em....! :D

Diehard Hunter · Feb 25, 2009

how about a pic?

shorefisherman · Feb 25, 2009

here it is, i tried to get a pic of the whole mouth but i have a cheap camera or im a terrible photographer, ther is over a dozen of this in its mouth, tongue, and gill ribs.

shorefisherman · Feb 25, 2009

btw...ive noticed this both upper c-hull and lower (below)dam rockfish and like i said not all of them have it.

Dang....hope nobody chimes in with any bad info about it after i ate the damn thing...tasted good though!!!! :D :D .... :sick:

Diehard Hunter · Feb 25, 2009

PARASITIC CRUSTACEA
Parasitic crustacea are increasingly serious problems in cultured fish and can impact wild populations. Most parasitic crustacea of freshwater fish can be seen with the naked eye as they attach to the gills, body and fins of the host. Three major genera are discussed below.

Ergasilus

Ergasilus are often incidental findings on wild or pond-raised fish and probably cause few problems in small numbers. However, their feeding activity causes severe focal damage and heavy infestations can be debilitating. Most affect the gills of freshwater fish, commonly seen in warm weather. A 3% salt dip, followed by 0.2 %-prolonged bath for three weeks, may be effective in eliminating this parasite.