Saturday, July 17, 2010

Is there a doctor in the house?

I have been fishing with my father since I was 5.
Occasionally we would find what he called "Doctors".
These strange creatures often lived with the gill space of a fish.
I was always led to believe that they were parasitic, though helpful, to their host.
Below is pictured the creature in question.


This specimen was the largest I had ever seen, measuring over 25mm head to tail.
The multitude of appendages makes it most unusual indeed.


It was found within the innards of its host, a Leather-jacket, whilst I was cleaning my catch from a fishing trip.


I would welcome any input on this strange creature.