Tongue-biter Cymathoid Isopod Cymothoa exigua in False Clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris, Lembeh Strait, Indonesia - Fotografia de stock

Tongue-biter or Tong-eating Louse Cymathoid Isopod Cymothoa exigua is a crustacean, a parasitic isopod, max. length 25mm. This parasite enters fish through the gills, and then attaches itself. The female attaches to the fish's tongue, and the male attaches on the gill arches beneath and behind the female. The female parasite destroys the fish's tongue. Then it attaches itself to the stub of what was once the tongue and becomes the fish's new tongue. The fish is able to use the parasite just like a normal tongue. It appears that the parasite does not cause any other damage to the host fish. This is the only known case of a parasite replacing the function of a host organ. In this case, the host is a False Clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris in a Magnificent Sea Anemone Heteractis magnifica. Lembeh Strait, Indonesia 1°29'2.448 N 125°14'23.55 E at 3m depth