GALVESTON, Texas — We know it is the Halloween season but talk about creepy.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department shared a spooky photo with a look inside the mouth of a fish caught at Galveston Island State Park on Oct. 19.
Inside was a parasitic isopod called a tongue-eating louse. Park officials said this parasite detaches the fish’s tongue, attaches itself to the fish’s mouth, and becomes its tongue.
Not grossed out yet?
Park officials said the parasite then feeds on the fish’s mucus. Yuck!
They say this also happens to be the only known case where a parasite functionally replaces a host’s organ.
Fortunately, the parasite does not kill the fish or affect humans.
