Caught a lovely Hen Grayling this evening, on a Coachman size 17.

After netting this magnificent 16" perhaps 4year old Hen, I noticed the silver lady had an injury. A heron spear mark that was healing well down the fish’s right flank. White around outer and pale pink centre wound.

Then I noticed something I have not encountered, large parasites moving and attached to this fish. Some on the fish’s flanks and near the wound. Initially I noticed the green colour that these parasites.

Description of the PARASITES specimens:

They where retrieved from my net in various sizes: 1 is (length) 8mm X 5.5mm (width) [this was the smallest] --> (length) 12mm X 8mm (width) [this was the largest}

On the top the are egg shaped in general, with a central darker area encasing their internal organs and a distinctive white possible digestive track in a straight line ongoing for half the length of the central darker area encasing(or thorax).

Underneath the composition of this life form can be seen more clearly. The head has two flat basil leaf shaped frilly feelers or antenna these seem to be position to the front and go out for about 2mm (in largest specimen)
It has four legs these move backwards and forward to propel the creature in the water. The front pair of legs is smaller and are almost positioned forward on the end joint. Each leg have three joints and the end joint has backward facing hairs.

In my antique brass field microscope I can see compound eyes that are tiny and a large almost flea like mouth piece. The rear underside comprises of two round suckers that are on either side of the woozer. Their are two smaller black round sacks and their claws by each (I saw these attached to the fish remember). After further examination I have just noticed it also has two hooks at the very central rear of the small green parasite.


Please if anyone could tell me what this species is I would be very grateful


P.S unfortunately I have no photo, I may not be able to produce one, but I shall try.

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'The French value the umber or grayling so highly that they say he feeds on gold.' - Izaak Walton: The Compleat Angler

Could it be this?

Acanthocyclops.

Argulus or Fish Louse.

BioLib - Image - Argulus

Quite common on some waters and individual fish can be infested while others can stay relatively parasite free.

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Don't worry, be happy.
Sandy
Carried it in full, then carry it out empty.

Thats right fishtales, it is Argulus foliaceus (fish lice). SharkeyP also was spot on!



This is a beautifully adapted parasite. From the moment the eggs hatch they are searching for a host. The suckers give grip as do the spines which dig in and prevent dislodgement. There is a proboscis between the suckers that scrapes flesh off the fish. This causes blood to flow and it is this that is consumed. The Fish Lice may be so dense on a host that severe damage can be made to the fish's body. If death ensues the lice just swim off in search of a new host. The swimming legs beat even when they are attached to a host. The females lay a mass of eggs on stones wrapped up in a jelly coat.



Thank you for the heads up everyone I wont forget this lesson!

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'The French value the umber or grayling so highly that they say he feeds on gold.' - Izaak Walton: The Compleat Angler

a couple of carp/mixed fisheries i'v been to are filled with these damn things..
how would they go about riddin these damn things, anyone know?

Drain the pond and let it dry out.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

Some 'light' reading for you

Controlling Argulus foliaceus: Northern Ireland Section. (Reports).(Dr Norman Gault lectures on freshwater fish louse control)(B - Entrepreneur.com

http://www.environmentalresearch.inf...44419&type=pdf

__________________
Don't worry, be happy.
Sandy
Carried it in full, then carry it out empty.

cheers....

In my experience sick and injured fish are attacked more extensively than healthy ones. The Grayling was wounded by a heron strike making it more attractive to parasites.

BK

Becoming a real problem this parasite as jim said any water needs to be drained which kills the adults,Then leaving it fallow,best over the winter months which kills the eggs that are in the silt and sand.needs to be approx a year from start to finish which kills the cycle of them.

Some feel that removing the host itself(The fish) will do it,but it doesnt as they predate on other aquatics.

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Kevin