Cymithoa exigua, popularly known as sea lice, is a crustacean that lives in all oceans and clings to the skin of fish to feed on their blood.
They can cause severe health problems for fish, including anaemia, weight loss, and even death, resulting in economic losses.
They infect the gills, and head of stressed or weakened fish, bite into the animal's skin and suck its blood.
They are a major issue for both fish and fish producers.
In some regions, their numbers are expanding, which is having a severe influence on wild fish populations.
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