Black Spot Parasite

[Widastick]

Southern Idaho has that black spot parasite on lots of its fish. I was wondering if anyone dares eat those fish. I really don't keep many fish because they are not my favorite but once in a while I bring one home to my wife or the neighbors, I don't want to be accused of poisening them. I talked to a f&g officer a winter ago and he said that it is not a problem but not sure I believe it. Anyone know anything about it? I am sure many of you have seen it.
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[jigs]

if its the one i am thinking of chesterfield and deepcreek both have it. i have ate them from both and as far as i can tell i'm still ok. from what i have heard as long as you cook them well its fine.
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[Widastick]

Yep, That is the black spot I am talking about. Good to hear you were the ginny pig. thanks for the update!
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[drowning_flys]

[#000000][size 2] Not idaho but gives you a little information about diffrent ones. [/size][/#000000] Angler's Guide to Fish Diseases and ParasitesGeorge W. Lewis
Professor, Aquaculture and Fisheries
Warnell School of Forest Resources
The University of Georgia November 1991 Occasionally anglers catch fish that show signs of infection or parasitism. Is the fish safe to eat? The usual and safest response to this question is, "When in doubt - don't." However, very few fish diseases can be transferred to humans. Almost all fish are safe to eat when thoroughly cooked, smoked or frozen. Fish are a valuable resource in Georgia. Not only do they provide important recreation, but they are also a valuable supplement to the family food budget. The anticipation of any fisherman, whether he be a young boy with a cane pole and a can of worms or an "old pro," is a quality fish for the table. It is the unwritten law of any true sportsman to utilize the fish he catches. The purpose of this publication is to help you, the angler, determine if the fish you've caught is worthy of your skillet. Remember, a sick fish will not take the hook. For convenience, we have listed groups of parasites diseases and other causes of abnormalities sometimes seen in the fisherman's catch.
[ol][li]Viruses and Bacteria: These microorganisms cannot be seen with the naked eye. They cause many diseases in fish. Symptoms include swollen, fluid-filled body cavity, bulging eyes, bloody fins, bloody spots on the skin or base of scales, sores, and lesions, etc.
[li]Fungi: Fungi are small, strand-like parasites. They normally do not infect healthy fish. They usually grow on dead tissue or infected wounds. Most of the fungi on fish have a patchy, gray-white, cotton-like appearance.
[li]Protozoa: These are microscopic, single-cell animals. They can be found on the gills, body surface or imbedded in the flesh. There are many different protozoans, and they cause a variety of fish diseases. Fisherman usually observe the damage they cause but rarely see the microorganism without the aid of a microscope.
[li]Trematode or Fluke: There are two groups of flukes. Monogenetic flukes live on the external body surface and multiply on the same host. Digenetic flukes are internal fish parasites and require two or more hosts to complete their life cycle. Other hosts may include snails, clams, birds or other fish - but not man. Trematodes can be found in cysts in the flesh or other internal organs. They also can live in the eye, blood, gills and other parts of the fish. Trematodes are rarely observed by fisherman.
[li]Cestode or Tapeworm: These parasites are commonly observed by fishermen when cleaning their catch. Larval tapeworms form cysts on or in the internal organs or in the body cavity. Adults are white and worm-like and are found in the intestines.
[li]Acanthocephalan or Spiny-Headed Worm: These parasites are rarely seen by fishermen. They live in the intestines of fish.
[li]Nematode or Round Worm: Nematodes are very common parasites of ski. The larvae may be found in cysts or coiled in or on the internal organs. Adults are usually found in the intestines. Some are found coiled under the skin.
[li]Leeches: These parasites are external, blood-feeding animals. They leave circular wounds on the fish.
[li]Copepods: These small crustaceans can be embedded in flesh, gills or mouth. Some move freely over the body surface.
[li]Tumors: As on other animals, tumors occasionally occur on fish. [li]Physical Injury: Predators, such as birds and other fish, can cause wounds and other malformities. [/li][/ol]Observed ExternallyVisual SignsCommentsLesions, sores, hemorrhages, fish pop-eyed, blood under scales, or loss of scales.
Various species of bacteria can infect fish. Symptoms vary depending on bacteria and fish species. Bacterial infections are usually the result of a stress on the fish or infection of a wound. An infected fish is edible. Trim away infected flesh.Cotton-like, white-tan-gray fuzzy growth on body or fins.
Fungus infection of wound or lesion. An infected fish is edible. Trim away infected flesh.Small, pinhead-size white spots on the skin of catfish and sometimes excessive mucus (slime) production.
Ich (Ichthyophthirius) is a common protozoan parasite of catfish. It occurs on the skin and gills of catfish and some other fish species. An infected fish is edible. Clean and prepare as usual.Small, black-to-purple spots under the skin or in the flesh of scale fish.
Black Spot is one of the more frequent parasites observed by fishermen. It is caused by larval flukes encysting under the skin or in the flesh. An infected fish is edible. Clean and prepare as usual.Eye opaque or deformed.
Eye Flukes live in the fluid of the eye. Although they cannot be seen by the fishermen, they eventually cause blindness in the fish. An infected fish is edible. Clean and prepare as usual.Gills swollen and pink
There are a number of gill parasites infecting fish. They are microscopic and only the damage they cause is observed by the fisherman. Some of these parasites are gill flukes and a number of Protozoan species. Chemicals in the water can also irritate the gills and present the same symptoms. Unless chemicals are suspected, the fish is edible. Clean and prepare as usual.Thread-like red worm extending from the anus.
Roundworms can be found throughout the intestines. They sometimes can be seen extending from the anus. An infected fish is edible. Clean and prepare as usual.Worm-like animal attached to the body, head, fins, or gills.
Leeches are blood-sucking animals that leave a circular wound after they have dropped off the fish. An infected fish is edible. Clean and prepare as usual.Small, red pustual with red thread-like body protruding from wound at the base of scale or on or near the base of fins.
Anchor Worm is an appropriate name for this parasitic copepod. It buries its anchor-shaped head into the flesh and allows its body to hang free of the wound. An infected fish is edible. Clean and prepare as usual.Small, bloody areas at the base or under the scales of a fish.
Fish Louse are microscopic copepods rarely seen by fishermen. They feed on the blood by piercing. the skin. The bites can become infected. An infected fish is edible. Clean and prepare as usual.Observed InternallyWhite worms in the intestine.
Adult flukes, tapeworms, roundworms or spiny-headed worms are commonly observed in the intestines of fish. The fish is edible. Clean and prepare as usual.Large, white flat worm in body cavity.
Tapeworm found in the body cavity of carp suckers, minnows and some other fish. The fish is edible. Clean and prepare as usual.Worm encysted on internal organs coiled like a watch spring.
Larval Roundworm. The fish is edible. Clean and prepare as usual.Small cysts on internal organs.
Larval Flukes. The fish is edible. Clean and prepare as usual.Small, white thread-like worms on or in internal organs.
Larval Tapeworms. Often found in the ovaries. The fish is edible. Clean and prepare as usual.Small, white-to-orange worm in body cavity or attached to intestines.
Spiny-headed worm usually lives inside intestines. Sometimes they are found lying in the body cavity with their heads buried in the intestines. The fish is edible. Clean and prepare as usual.
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[X2FSH]

[quote jigs]. i have ate them from both and as far as i can tell i'm still ok.


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Hope you don't have one of these in ya (taken from "drowning flys" post) [blush]
Trematode or Fluke: There are two groups of flukes. Monogenetic flukes live on the external body surface and multiply on the same host. Digenetic flukes are internal fish parasites and require two or more hosts to complete their life cycle. Other hosts may include snails, clams, birds or other fish - but not man. Trematodes can be found in cysts in the flesh or other internal organs. They also can live in the eye, blood, gills and other parts of the fish. Trematodes are rarely observed by fisherman.

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[MMDon]

I've yet to hear of a human transferable parasite or fungus from fish that is fully cooked. Sushi on the other hand presents multiple problems even if properly frozen to the right temperature.
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[Widastick]

These are great reply's!! Thanks for the info!
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[brdchsr]

Hi,

Just so you all know, Treasureton is now infected with the black spots also.
Years ago when this showed up in Chesterfield I wrote the fish and game about them. The response I recieved was they were introduced by an infected group of planted fish. Then we had the reservoir dry up. I was hoping that the parasites were a thing of the past. They again showed up in full force. And they also started showing in Deep Creek. I wrote again to the fish and game and the reply I got this time was that it was due to the birds, snails, and the interaction of the group.
Now after last winters kill of Treasureton it now has the black spots.
I find it strange that Deep Creek sits within a few miles of Devils Creek, Daniels, and Weston and more and there is not an issue with the black spots in them.
Also Chesterfield is in close proximity to 24 Mile, Blackfoot Reservoir, and Alexander and they have no reports of the parasite. God knows that the birds are thick at the Blackfoot and also American Falls Reservoir.
I am inclined to believe the first report I recieved and that was fish are being planted that are infected with the parasites from one of the hatcheries used.
I know that cooking them kills them but I for one seem to loose the desire when I know they are full of parasites. I also know all fish and animals have them but when you see them all over the fish it still takes away the desire to eat them.
This is actually called Black Spot Disease and the black spots are not the parasite but the scar from where the parasite exited or entered. I do not know which.
I actually have not fished Chesterfield and Deep Creek because of this. It is a shame that such a great fishery and the beautiful fish in them are tainted because of this issue.
Enjoy your meal!!!!!!!!!
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[aintskeerd]

I fish mainly on the Henry's Fork and the Teton River near St.Anthony. I've yet to see black spot parasites on the Henry's Fork, but nearly everything in the Teton has this problem. The district office told me that the meat of these fish is fine, but cook the skin extra crispy and try not to think about the things on the skin while you're chewing.
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[ChrisTheFish]

There was some on a large brown I caught right by St. Anthony.
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[maghunter]

"MMDon" Sushi on the other hand presents multiple problems.

The biggest problem with sushi is I can't get enough of it. If it kills me it was worth it.
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[MMDon]

[quote maghunter]"MMDon" Sushi on the other hand presents multiple problems.

The biggest problem with sushi is I can't get enough of it. If it kills me it was worth it.[/quote]

I have the same "problem."
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[Biglew]

I've seen posts on this and other boards addressing the parasite. Here's how it works.

Black spot, is a parasite of fish. This parasite has a life cycle that uses birds, snails and fish as the host animal. The adult parasite lives in the bird and sheds eggs that pass into the water. The parasite eggs hatch and infect snails. Larvae develop in the snail and then swim out from the snail into the water. When they find a fish, the larvae burrow into the skin or muscle of the fish and stop their development. When a bird eats an infected fish, the larvae develops into an adult parasite in the bird and the cycle begins again. The black spot parasite uses the kingfisher or gull as the host bird.
Cooking kills the parasites and they cannot infect people in any case.

Hope this answers some questions on the subject.
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[metalheadhunter]

yea i caught a couple fish from chesterfeild a few weeks ago, i didnt check if the had spots or not, smoked them in the smoker and seince then ate all the fish my dad and i could keep and im still trukin'. if its cooked i dont worry about it.
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[Fishnskiidaho]

Your response is exactly what Dick Scully from F & G told me. And contrary to an earlier post, I have seen them on fish in 24 mile. I have attached his e-mail to me.
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