Trying to ID a parasite found one of my Darters

Does anyone know what this is exactly? I plucked two of them from the fins of a Fantail Darter that I recently collected. This picture is at 10x magnification. When attached to the fish, they looked like a dill seed in shape and texture.



Any help is appreciated.

Edited by GreenRiverKY, 21 October 2010 - 09:26 AM.

Does anyone know what this is exactly? I plucked two of them from the fins of a Fantail Darter that I recently collected. This picture is at 10x magnification. When attached to the fish, they looked like a dill seed in shape and texture.



Any help is appreciated.

I would guess some form of leech, it's relatively large.

I should add that they were very difficult to pull off with tweezers... very stretchy when pulled and attached firmly. I am assuming they are some sort of Annelid but just curious as to what kind they might be.

This picture was taken through my microscope. It is probably 3.5 mm long when compressed and 6mm fully stretched.

Edited by GreenRiverKY, 21 October 2010 - 10:07 AM.

I collected 2 Frecklebelly Darters from the Green River 3 weeks ago and one of them has a parasite on it. The leech started on the tail fin and has moved up the body and is attached to the underside. I need to pull it off. I would be it is the same thing.

I collected 2 Frecklebelly Darters from the Green River 3 weeks ago and one of them has a parasite on it. The leech started on the tail fin and has moved up the body and is attached to the underside. I need to pull it off. I would be it is the same thing.

It probably is the same thing although this Fantail came from Preston Spring here in Lex. The Darter was pale in color and now that the leeches have been removed, it has slowly started to darken and look less stressed. Thanks for the help everyone.

I have sampled Wolf Run Creek, near Preston Springs, in the past. There is an access point at Valley Park off Deauville Dr. There are some beautiful Orangethroat Darter varients there that some refer to as the 'Thoroughbred Darter'. I haven't been down there in a year though.

Thoroughbred Darter

I have sampled Wolf Run Creek, near Preston Springs, in the past. There is an access point at Valley Park off Deauville Dr. There are some beautiful Orangethroat Darter varients there that some refer to as the 'Thoroughbred Darter'. I haven't been down there in a year though.

Thoroughbred Darter

I concur, its a leech.

I have sampled Wolf Run Creek, near Preston Springs, in the past. There is an access point at Valley Park off Deauville Dr. There are some beautiful Orangethroat Darter varients there that some refer to as the 'Thoroughbred Darter'. I haven't been down there in a year though.

Thoroughbred Darter

I sampled Wolfe creek last weekend at Enterprise Dr. (just parked in one of the warehouse parking lots) and collected three "Thoroughbreds". Right above the bridge (and the Snapper lawnmower and shopping cart ) there is a little riffle that had quite a few of them. It's hard to believe that such a beautiful fish lives in a creek running through an industrial park.

EDIT: The creek is bone dry at the park on Deauville Dr. so you have to walk the creek bed to the spring before you see any water. Also, if you plan on going anytime soon, take a concealed weapon of your choice because there are feral men living in the woods out there.

Edited by GreenRiverKY, 21 October 2010 - 12:15 PM.

Also, if you plan on going anytime soon, take a concealed weapon of your choice because there are feral men living in the woods out there.

Do you have a story to go along with this...will you be in the news anytime soon?

Do you have a story to go along with this...will you be in the news anytime soon?

No, check your PM.