Wahoo Parasite

BoldWater · 04-07-2007, 04:34 AM

Have you ever opened up a wahoo stomach and found one of these?

In most wahoo you fillet you will find the trematode (Hirudinella ventricosa), a parasite which inhabits their stomach. They are medium to dark brown and slug-like in texture and appearance. They are usually about the size and shape of a human thumb, but can also be somewhat smaller, especially in small fish. There are usually 2 or 3 in each wahoo stomach, but there can be a few more or a few less. Occasionally there are none at all, and very occasionally there are many more, up to 12 or so. Cut open the stomach of a wahoo, and in addition to examining what the fish has been feeding on, you can check for the presence of trematodes. In most cases they will still be alive and moving very sluggishly. These wahoo stomach parasites have been observed in all parts of the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Ref - http://www.wahooproject.org/current%20research.htm

Capt. Scott Goodwin · 04-07-2007, 11:36 AM

Yes I have seen these in almost every wahoo that I have opened the stomach up. Not the most appetizing aspect of fishing. Never knew what they were. Heard a story of one being swallowed on a dare! GAG!

Steve · 04-07-2007, 06:37 PM

MMMM....yummy!

Jason · 04-07-2007, 11:58 PM

How did they get in the stomach and are they harming the fish or are they cleaning it's stomach like a snail does with algae?

BoldWater · 04-08-2007, 04:44 AM

A wahoo biologist told me they cause no harm to the fish and that she has only found the parasite in wahoo.

I would like to learn more about it.

Especially how they only get from wahoo to wahoo.

04-07-2007, 04:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
BoldWater L I V I N - Livin Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Merritt Island, FL Posts: 1,502	Wahoo Parasite Have you ever opened up a wahoo stomach and found one of these? In most wahoo you fillet you will find the trematode (Hirudinella ventricosa), a parasite which inhabits their stomach. They are medium to dark brown and slug-like in texture and appearance. They are usually about the size and shape of a human thumb, but can also be somewhat smaller, especially in small fish. There are usually 2 or 3 in each wahoo stomach, but there can be a few more or a few less. Occasionally there are none at all, and very occasionally there are many more, up to 12 or so. Cut open the stomach of a wahoo, and in addition to examining what the fish has been feeding on, you can check for the presence of trematodes. In most cases they will still be alive and moving very sluggishly. These wahoo stomach parasites have been observed in all parts of the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean. Ref - http://www.wahooproject.org/current%20research.htm

04-07-2007, 11:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
Capt. Scott Goodwin Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cocoa, Florida Posts: 121	Yes I have seen these in almost every wahoo that I have opened the stomach up. Not the most appetizing aspect of fishing. Never knew what they were. Heard a story of one being swallowed on a dare! GAG! Last edited by Capt. Scott Goodwin; 11-16-2007 at 04:54 PM.

04-08-2007, 04:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
BoldWater L I V I N - Livin Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Merritt Island, FL Posts: 1,502	Wahoo Parasites. A wahoo biologist told me they cause no harm to the fish and that she has only found the parasite in wahoo. I would like to learn more about it. Especially how they only get from wahoo to wahoo.

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04-07-2007, 06:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Steve Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Santee Posts: 5	MMMM....yummy!

04-07-2007, 11:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jason Bloodydecks Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 143	How did they get in the stomach and are they harming the fish or are they cleaning it's stomach like a snail does with algae?