Parasite ID?

[sam.basye]

So, I was netting little bait fish out of the shallow surf today in Charleston, SC and managed to catch this thing.

Later, after I brought the bucket back, it was latched onto one of the little fish.

It's got big black beady eyes, numerous little legs underneath, and a flat tail it uses to swim around.

It looks vaguely familiar to a mantis shrimp, minus the claws.









Any suggestions are welcome!

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

It's a cirolanid isopod. They attach themselves to fish to feed on them.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/bp/index.php

 

[sam.basye]

Thanks!

Interesting little creatures...