Photo Feature
One too many parasites
<p><strong>One too many parasites:</strong> The Japanese sawtail fish is plagued by <em>Nerocila armata</em>, a species of parasitic marine isopods. Part of the Nerocila genus, which includes 11 species, these isopods infest marine fish. They feed on the host’s blood, flesh, fins, and gills by attaching to the body, gills, or buccal cavity. The damage to the gill filaments can stunt growth, impair reproduction, and shorten the fish’s lifespan.</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size:12px;">Photo: Rajarshi Das Gupta/Sanctuary Photolibrary.</span></strong></p>