Cymothoa exigua, or one (of many) tongue lice, is a parasitic isopod of the family Cymothoidae. It enters a fish through the gills . The female attaches to the tongue, while the male attaches to the gill arches beneath and behind the female.

Jul 13, 2022 · The Cymothoa exigua, or tongue-eating louse, is a parasitic crustacean of the family Cymothoidae. It enters a fish (here a sand steenbras, Lithognathus mormyrus) through the gills and then attaches itself to the fish's tongue.

Oct 23, 2021 · Menhaden fish are so often seen with their tongue replaced by the isopod that they're known as "bug mouths," according to the website North Carolina Fishes. And they're so common in snapper...

Aug 17, 2024 · Breathe easy, though—in reality, Cymothoa exigua, the parasitic isopod in question, only targets fish. Commonly known as the tongue-eating louse, it measures only about 0.3-1.1 inches in...

22 hours ago · Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Tongue-Eating Lice. 1. What is a tongue-eating louse? 2. How does the tongue-eating louse infect a fish? 3. Does the louse actually eat the fish’s tongue? 4. What happens after the tongue dies? 5. Can a fish survive with Cymothoa exigua? 6. Is it safe to eat fish infected with a tongue-eating louse? 7.

Apr 28, 2022 · The tongue-eating louse (Cymothoa exigua) is an isopod, or type of crustacean, found in the Cymothoidae family. They are parasites, meaning their survival depends on, and is detrimental to, another “host” organism.

Cymothoa exigua, or the tongue-eating louse, is a parasitic isopod of the family Cymothoidae. It enters fish through the gills. The female attaches to the tongue, while the male attaches to the gill arches beneath and behind the female. Females are 8–29 mm (0.3–1.1 in) long and 4–14 mm (0.16–0.55 in) wide.

Aug 22, 2016 · Using her incredibly strong hind legs, the louse then secures herself to the fish's mouth--settling there permanently. In order to establish a permanent residency, the louse pierces the...

Mar 8, 2023 · Tongue-eating louse is many fish species’ nightmare, and its name says it all. This particular type of louse is a parasitic isopod that severe the blood vessels in the fish’s tongue, causing it to fall off.

Nov 23, 2024 · The tongue-eating louse, scientifically known as Cymothoa exigua, is a fascinating yet disturbing parasitic crustacean that replaces the tongue of its fish host. This unique parasite enters through the gills, attaches itself to the tongue, and eventually severs the blood supply, causing the tongue to wither away.