Phtheirichthys Gill, 1862
Diagnosis: body elongate. Dorsal and anal fins long; dorsal finrays 29-33; anal finrays 29-34; pectoral finrays 18-21; disc small, laminae 9-11; disc length 18-28% SL; gillrakers on lower limb 11-13; palatine teeth present; oral denticles absent. Vertebrae 39-41 (precaudal vertebrae 18). Colour: head and body pale, dark brown or blackish. Larger specimens with faint dark brown horizontal stripe on mid-side of body and narrow light stripe above and below dark stripe; outer portion of longer anterior rays of dorsal and anal fins light, remainder of fins blackish; margins of outer rays of caudal fin light, remainder blackish. Size: to 435 mm SL.
Habitat: oceanic species. Attaches to body or enters gill chamber of other fishes. Barracuda most frequent host, but also known from, for example, sea turtles. Food: no data. Reproduction: no data.
Distribution: a rare species in the Atlantic. Elsewhere, worldwide, in tropical and subtropical waters.
Species 1.
Species of this genus in the program:
Phtheirichthys lineatus