Key to the parasites of British freshwater fish
This key to the freshwater fish parasites of
This key deals only with the parasites visible to the naked eye or with a x10 hand lens, and is therefore meant as more of a field guide to external fish parasites rather than a comprehensive key.
We have tried to include exceptions to these parasite groups within the key, but because of the diversity of fish parasites it has not always been possible to do so. Any queries about this key can be made to the Freshwater Biological Association. Because of the complexities of pathology of fish parasites, pathological conditions are yet to be described in this key. Therefore, a number of important groups have been excluded such as the cestodes, nematodes and acanthocephalans. It is hoped that a key to the internal and microscopic external parasites of fish, including their pathology, will be developed for those who wish to dissect fish specimens, and identify parasites, using laboratory equipment. Until such time, please find links below to brief overviews and descriptions of these groups.