It uses sharp, strong claws to clamp onto the fish's tongue.
Impact on Fish's Tongue
The parasite severs the blood vessels in the fish's tongue.
This action stops the blood flow, causing the tongue to die and eventually fall off.
Replacement of the Tongue
Once the tongue is gone, the parasite attaches itself to the remaining stub.
The parasite effectively becomes the fish's new tongue.
Feeding and Coexistence
As the fish eats, the parasite receives a share of the food.
The parasite lives on the fish, functioning as its tongue until the host fish dies.
Summary
This parasite’s lifecycle involves replacing the fish's tongue and coexisting with the fish until the fish's death. It acts as a symbiotic yet parasitic organism.