Kat-a-Log

[Resqu]

Over the past year, Al and I have seen small tick like creatures over most of a flatheads body in the slime (or flatty juice). Most are white, to clear.

Now as some are thinking, yea, its the Muskingum, and no, we dont keep them. LOL

Anyone else see this or know of them?
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People are all allike in their promises. It is only in their deeds that they differ.

[katfish]

Most parasites on fish are microscopic size. These include protazoa such as Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (ich) or other ciliates



What I think you have observed is digenean trematodes or another parasite. These are larval stages of insects that lay eggs in aquatic vegetation. Fish that come in contact with the vegetation/eggs have the larvae attach and burrow under the skin.

These will leave the host (fish) when they mature or when temperature is too low for their survival. I have seen these larva most in fish in ponds during July and August.

It is a tough World out there and flathead don't have medical insurance.
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Catchabiggun,
Robby

[bigcatjoe]

I noticed this as well, and last year took some samples of the creatures to the lab at OSU to I.D. them. Turns out, they are aquatic fish lice of the genus Argulus. Somewhat common in the aquarium trade, they must have been introduced via fish stockings to the MWCD lakes.