Fish Diseases and Management

4.1.2.1 Monogenea

Monogenean parasites have a direct life cycles without an intermediate host. Adult parasite lays eggs, which hatch to release free-swimming ciliated larvae known as oncomiracidia. These infect suitable host fish within a few hours. If they cannot find a host they die. The oncomiracidia, which are attached to a suitable host develop into adults. Gyrodactylids are viviparous and give birth to new individuals identical to the parent without ay intermediate host.