Changes

The louse has a sharp stylet along the ventral midline that it uses to pierce the skin of the fish. It then '''injects digestive enzymes''' into the surrounding tissues and feeds on the digested bodily fluids by sucking them out with its '''proboscis'''.  

The louse has a sharp stylet along the ventral midline that it uses to pierce the skin of the fish. It then '''injects digestive enzymes''' into the surrounding tissues and feeds on the digested bodily fluids by sucking them out with its '''proboscis'''.  

The damage caused by the fish louse is two-fold; firstly '''localised inflammation and irritation''' of the skin caused directly by the parasite and secondarily the risk of developing '''opportunistic infections''', both '''bacterial and viral''' directly through the damaged skin. [[Pseudomonas species - Overview|''Pseudomonas spp.'']] and [[Aeromonas species - Overview|''Aeromonas spp.'']] are often of particular concern, as they can potentially invade the [[Gills|gills]].

The damage caused by the fish louse is two-fold; firstly '''localised inflammation and irritation''' of the skin caused directly by the parasite and secondarily the risk of developing '''opportunistic infections''', both '''bacterial and viral''' via the damaged skin. [[Pseudomonas species - Overview|''Pseudomonas spp.'']] and [[Aeromonas species - Overview|''Aeromonas spp.'']] are often of particular concern, as they can potentially invade the [[Gills|gills]].

Fish may show '''rubbing and flashing behaviour''' due to the intense irritation caused by the infection.

Fish may show '''rubbing and flashing behaviour''' due to the intense irritation caused by the infection.