| Parasite | Trachelobdella livanovi |
|---|---|
| Taxonomy | Annelida, Hirudinea, Piscicolidae |
| Host | Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) |
| Infection site | Skin |
| Clinical sign | The worm parasitizing the caudal peduncle of the eyed side is visually observed. |
| Parasitology | The body of the parasite is 1.2-1.9 mm wide, 12.9-14.6 mm long and dark greenish brown in color. White spots and bistered amorphous pattern are seen over the body (Fig. 1). Most parasites are found in eyed side of the caudal peduncle. (Wakabayashi, 2005, Momoyama and Tensha, 2006). |
| Pathology | No report |
| Health hazard | Since this parasite is not infectious to human, it is harmless in food hygiene. |
| Diagnosis | Check the parasite on the skin. |
| Other information | Prevalence was over 20 % in November in the coasting area of the Toyama Prefecture (Wakabayashi, 2005). |
| References | Momoyama, K. and K. Tensha (2006): Ugly-looking parasitic infections and
other abnormalities of wild fish and shellfish caught in the coastal or
inland waters around or in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Bull. Yamaguchi Pref. Fish. Res. Ctr., 4, 143-161. Wakabayashi, S. (2005): Calliobdella livanovi, a parasitic leech of Japanese flounder. Bull. Toyama Pref. Res. Inst., 16, 47-48. |
(Photo by K. Tensha)
Fig. 1. T. livanori from Japanese flounder.