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Parasite

Photo by AlbertKang
Published on Project Noah
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26.8305, -79.0358

Field Notes

Description:

This Spotting is not about the Sharks but the tiny Parasites that attached themselves on the body of bigger fishes, especially Sharks.

In Pic#1, the Parasite is the small black/white striped thing on the gills of the Sharks. This is a cropped picture to show the Parasite.

Pics#2 & #3 shows how small the Parasites are, varying around 2-4 cm in length. It was not possible for me to take a much closer-up picture of this Parasite as the Sharks are continuously swimming and keeping a distance from me to get a close-up macro shot.

In Pic#2, there are some blemishes/markings which could be the place where other Parasites where latching themselves to on the shark's body.

Habitat:

Attached to bigger fishes like Sharks

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (5)
DrNamgyalTSherpa
Thanks @AlbertKang for the info and the invitation for the video.
AlbertKang
Thank you, @DrNamgyalT.Sherpa for your kind comments. Actually, I did not at any time felt in any danger from the Sharks, not that they are totally harmless, but its a misconception most non-divers and to some extent, some new divers feels. There is no doubt they are wild animals, but they are not the crazy monster Hollywood movies made them out to be. However, we go into the ocean to dive with them with respect and be mindful of their presence and appreciation of the roles they plays in the marine eco-system. If you have the opportunity, please look up the videos of my diving with them on my Facebook.
DrNamgyalTSherpa
Great task @AlbertKang - to breath from a cylinder, to carry the cylibder, to look around for potential danger (of attacks from sharks), to photograph fast swimming sharks, and then look for such tiny parasites on their gills! That too in unfamiliar and far away places from your country! Hats off!
AlbertKang
Thanks, @doreen for your comments. I wonder if its possible its a leech.

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2016 Best Wildlife Photo

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Photographed
PublishedNovember 6, 2016

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