The Cymothoa exigua is a parasite that feeds on the tongue of fishes, replaces the tongue and feeds.
Cymothoa exigua similar to crabs and lobsters swims into the gills of the fish in order to complete its maturation process. Interestingly, after the tongue parasites has fully developed it changes its sex from male to female then it finally travels to the base of the fish’s tongue which is the final destination. The male marine-louse grows to about half an inch whilst the females grow to an inch in length.
The Cymothoa exigua is a parasite that feeds on the tongue of fishes, replaces the tongue and feeds.
Cymothoa exigua similar to crabs and lobsters swims into the gills of the fish in order to complete its maturation process. Interestingly, after the tongue parasites has fully developed it changes its sex from male to female then it finally travels to the base of the fish’s tongue which is the final destination. The male marine-louse grows to about half an inch whilst the females grow to an inch in length.
The process of eating the fish begins by using their hind legs to gain a firm standing and this is done by piercing the fish’s tongue and with time the tongue withers and falls off. After it has withered off what is left is the louse comfortably seated in the mouth of the fish but that does not kill the fish.
One may ask how will the fish feed if it has a new occupant replacing its organ? The fish will be just fine because the fish also starts to use the parasite as a pseudo tongue and is able to feed just fine whilst the parasite also feeds on the mucus and bits of blood left in the mouth.
Now that the mouth of the fish has become the home of the crustacean reproduction is bound to take place. After consuming what is left of the fish’s tongue it begins to steal some of the fish’s food and mate in the mouth of the fish to reproduce. The males who are still in the gills crawl to the female which is now a tongue to mate and breed male lice.
This parasite are in depths and breaths of the ocean and commonly found in fish we purchase besides the fact that they can bite while still alive it does not pose any threat to human lives.
Seven of such species were discovered which are known as Potandris hermaphrodites and equally which equally switch sexes as they grow.
Close-up of parasite
