Two flesh parasites of barracouta (Teleosti: Gempylidae) from eastern Cook Strait

Abstract

Summary Of 236 barracouta, Thyrsites atun (Euphrasen), examined for flesh parasites over a 1 year period, 82% were parasitised by the trypanorhynchid cestode Gymnorhynchus thyrsitae, which was usually found in the ventral muscle mass; the dorsal muscle mass was comparatively free of infestation. The nematode Anisakis sp. was found in the flesh of only 13 fish, all of which contained the cestode parasite as well. The high incidence of flesh parasitism has caused barracouta in New Zealand to become almost valueless commercially.