Sea Lice [Lepeophtheirus]

Description

Lepeophtheirus is a genus of copepods commonly known as sea lice. These parasitic crustaceans are found on the body surface of marine fishes, feeding on mucus, epidermal tissue, and blood. They are significant pests in wild and farmed fish populations, causing damage to the skin, reducing growth rates, and sometimes leading to the death of heavily infested fish. Members of this genus are characterized by their direct development, where nauplii hatch from eggs and directly develop into copepodid larvae.

Species

Taxonomy