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These parasitic flatworms are common parasites of freshwater and marine fish. Dactylogyridae worms can be recognized by a four pointed anterior end, a sucker at the anterior end and four eyespots also located at the anterior of the worm. The other end of the worm has two large hooks (seen in picture on the right) which are surrounded by 16 smaller hooks. These hooks are used to attach to the gill tissue where feeding takes place. These worms are hermaphroditic (possess both male and female organs.) Eggs are release into the environment after self-fertilization. The eggs normally hatch within a couple of days.
In hatcheries, these parasites can inflict terrible losses if left unchecked. Adult fish may be able to tolerate a couple of worms but fry and juveniles will not tolerate the same infestation level as the adults.
Control is effected by filtering the water through a diatom filter and treating the water with 25 ppm of formaldehyde.
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