Migration and development of the blood fluke Sanguinicola inermis Plehn, 1905 (Trematoda: Sanguinicolidae) in carp, Cyprinus carpio L.

The migration and development of Sanguinicola inermis in carp fingerlings were investigated by quantitative analysis of serial sections of fish and examination of flukes from hosts up to 90 days p.i. Cercariae penetrated through the epidermis and migrated through connective tissue and muscle to establish in the blood system and commence egg production within 28 days p.i. Mast flukes established in the ventral blood system and released eggs which accumulated in gill epithelial tissue. A minority of flukes inhabited dorsal blood vessels and shed eggs which lodged in connective tissue and visceral sites. Maximum life-span of the parasite is between 56 and 70 days p.i. and egg production peaked at day 42 p.i.