Parasitic isopods (Gnathia sp.) reduce haematocrit in captive blackeye thicklip (Labridae) on the Great Barrier Reef

• Published in: Journal of Fish Biology
• Main Authors: Grutter, A. S., Jones, C. M.
• Other Authors: J. F. Craig
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2005
• Subjects: Fisheries; Marine & Freshwater Biology; Gnathia; Haematocrit; Hemigymnus Melapterus; Isopoda; Labridae; Atlantic Salmon; Lice Infection; Sea Lice; Crustacea; Fishes; Trout; Flabellifera; Performance; Cymothoidae; Anemia; C1; Atlantic salmon
• Online Access: https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:76163

Captive Hemigymnus melapterus exposed to large numbers of cultured juvenile parasitic isopods (Gnathia sp.) had significantly lower haematocrit (median 27-62% +/- 5-83% inter-quartile range) than uninfected, control fish (median 32-73% +/- 4-90%). This study is the first to show that juvenile Gnathia sp. reduce total blood volume in H. melapterus. The low haematocrit in infected fish was most likely due to plasma replacing erythrocytes lost as a result of isopods feeding on fish blood. (c) 2005 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.