Unusual attachment of Nerocila exocoeti in Hemiramphus far (Forsskal, 1775) from Parangipettai south east coast of India

Abstract

A female Nerocila exocoeti was found attached on the head region of the halfbeak fish Hemiramphus far reported for the first time from Parangipettai south east coast of India. This was abnormal position to all known cymothoids attached on the surface of host fishes. This isopod naturally occurs in the fish belongs to Exocoetidae. The attachment must have occurred accidentally. This is only the second time this isopod has been collected in the south coast India and the first for this host.