Gill-parasite

Guides

• Elthusa californica

  Elthusa californica is a marine parasitic isopod in the family Cymothoidae. It attaches to the gill chambers of fish hosts and feeds on blood and tissue. The species occurs along the Pacific coast from California to Peru. Originally described as Lironeca californica, it was later transferred to Elthusa following taxonomic revision.

  marineparasiteisopodcymothoidfish-parasitePacific-coastectoparasitegill-parasitehybridizationindicator-species