GOLDFISH LICE PARASITE UNDER A MICROSCOPE | Argulus japonicus External Fish Lice Parasite

Argulus japonicus is the infamous goldfish lice parasite that attaches to fish and feed on the host's blood and tissue. In this video we look at a goldfish lice under a microscope and learn about it.
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Argulus japonicus attaches itself to its host with the aid of two suction cup-like maxillae and a bunch of little spines on its underside. Its mandibles bite and rip the host tissue. The parasite then uses a proboscis which is basically a straw to suck blood into its oral cavity. It also injects anticoagulants and other cell disintegrating compounds which help pre-digests the tissue. This obviously is not good for the host, it hurts the hosts appetite, can lead to death, and opens the fish up for other issues like nematodes or fungal diseases.
Argulus japonicus is native to asian countries where it parasitizes carp, but the species is highly invasive probably due to the pet fish trade. It is able to parasitize almost every species of freshwater fish.
Edit: At ~51 seconds those are where the testes would be in a male. We are looking at a female and you can see the eggs in the center of the parasite where it is dark.
Sources:
nas.er.usgs.go...
nas.er.usgs.go...
www.ncbi.nlm.n...
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[@MicrobialLuke]

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[@camilleanderson4991]

I love it. You walked by the tank, saw the lice and studied it!! Great job Microbial Luke♥️

[@MicrobialLuke]

Thank you mom! 🙏❤️

[@thatlildumbass7630]

Oh my god Luke your finally back!! Missed you so much!

[@MicrobialLuke]

Haha! Thank you!!! I missed posting so much.

[@luxuryglow]

My family and I missed your videos.
Thanks for the upload!
Dr Luke,
I’m your #1 and Forever fan!
Woohoo!💕

[@MicrobialLuke]

Thank you!!!!

[@nathanisip5430]

Yay! This video is going to be great!

[@MicrobialLuke]

Thank you!!!

[@johnnybadboy3475]

Nice job, Luke. The parasite reminds me of those Buzz Droids that latch onto spaceships from _Attack of the Clones._

[@MicrobialLuke]

Thank you for watching!

[@MicrobialLuke]

Oh yeah! Cool comparison!

[@rosellerivera-castro1489]

I would like to ask, how to help the fish remove the lice? It might affect the other family fish. What first aid can we do 🤔🤔🤔 i’ve noticed it in our Cichlid fish when we are breeding a lot of it. Btw the we breed before was Angel Fish, Oscar,Convict, yellow lab, albino swordtail and a lot more. Thanks by the way watching your channel give additional stock knowledge i can share to others. ❤️🆙⬆️

[@suzannep]

Very cool. I used to do the same thing with my fish,... walk by, see something unusual and grab the microscope right away. 😂

[@MicrobialLuke]

Haha! I love it!

[@josianeoliveira5748]

Nice video! Great job Luke!

[@MicrobialLuke]

Thank you!

[@WaveFlux]

great video!

[@JoseCastillo-ok1sx]

Unbelievable true. What a parasite it is.

[@TheArtisticDeepak]

I did seasalt water therapy for it. its effective

[@mellymoko4617]

Found a tiny lice on my fish this morning. Don't you have to treat the whole tank?

[@MrDAVIDSBBABY]

Thank you for this video. I just removed mine of my gold fish

[@LiLHarOak]

Oh my Gosh please help! How do I get this thing off of my poor fishy!!

[@wsyungin481]

🐠🐠

[@MicrobialLuke]

🐟🐠

[@JohnnysCafe_]

some really horrible life forms have evolved in the need to survive 😳

[@ahmedalobaidy1]

What needs to do?