what are these????
 

caught a walleye today, both sides of its tail were covered in these, dont look like leeches to me. does anyone know what they are?
http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/y...n/DSCF2741.jpg

look like some kind of snails to me.

The closest that I've ever seen to what's in your photos were tumors on the walleye and that was in Ontario. Did it look like those worm like "items" were attached to the fish or growing out of it? Gross lookin' whatever it is. :(

Looks like some kind of parasite....could be leeches at a young stage in their life cycle....I have seen some odd colored leeches, different than the usual brown/black ones.

LC

i would say young leeches.

I wonder if other fish try to eat them from its tail.

Probably another invasive species. I would send that to one of the fisheries biologists.

I am not sure if we have any fishes that act like a remora in Alberta lakes....I would think the walleye would just eat them when they came to help out....

LC

Where are all of the fish board biologists.....lol? I'd send a picture in to SRD just to find out what it was (and let us know), if for nothing else.

I found this on the net:

"The walleye is host to a wide variety of parasites. Some of these include protozoans, trematodes, cestodes, nematodes, acanthocephalans, leeches, molluscs and crustaceans. In certain areas of Saskatchewan and Alberta walleye are infected with a broad tapeworm (Diphyllobothrium latum)."

They look more like a worm (acanthocephalans?) to me than a leech. :confused:

Definitively interesting...........thanks for posting. :)

they were all wiggling, didnt seem to bother the fish much, just me :sHa_sarcasticlol:

True, but they way they're stuck on with one end makes me think "leech"


I'm very curious to find out what it is one way or another.

Its called packing your own lunch...Smart fish LOL

How did it taste Wayne?

Sea lice

they are fish leaches, piscicola sp.

Lake or River?
 

Care to share where this fish was caught? how did the rest of the fish health look? Skinny for length this time of year? any other details...

curious...

it is going to take a heck of a lot more leaches attached to that fish before it really starts having any serious consequences. They typically will stick to the fins of the fish but when there is a bad infestation they will be attached all over the fish - then you need to start worrying.

I dont have a clue what they are, but if they were leeches why would they attach where there is next to no blood supply? Doesn't make sense to me...

Actually, blood is constantly circulating through the fins of fish, and the skin is really thin and no thick scales to try to get past.

Excuse me if i am wrong, but i thought that fins were mainly bone/cartilage...no? Anyways im not knowledgeable enough to argue the subject, so i wont.

caught in the lower Bow fish was smaller, but looked rather healthy other than these ugly things. maybe a 13 or 14 inch fish, fought like normal, for a walleye that is

That looks nasty. I work with a variety of fish biologists... Ill bring this up when I get a chance, Im interested in what it is as well.

a few posts up. a fish bioligist answered the question. tyree.

ah um......tyreeUM is a fish tech/bio

please do, I really would like to know, the other fish I caught all looked extremely healthy

I believe the expert has spoken!

No it's ok, when I was finishing my undergrad we did a lab where we scoped a fin of a live fish and you could actually see the blood moving through the fin because the tissue was so thin, it was pretty cool.
Also, think of your human bones - there are blood vessels running through your bones as well.

haha far from an expert...I did and research article on piscicola spp. in 3 lakes here in Saskatchewan last winter but I have no idea what species that is from the picture.

Nasty
 

I think it was good of tyree not to mention , that it was good that you didnt come in contact , as in flesh to leach....as the protein in leeches can work its way into the dermis and cause a condition known as wrinkly .
Have you noticed wayne that your skin is getting wrinkly.....
DODGER says that will teach you stick to pike , as we all know pike slime an excellent grooming product...

Always glad to help W101

Leeches, snails, but look simialar to slugs.

probably lamprey :1041: