fish louse

noun

any of numerous small crustaceans, especially certain copepods, parasitic on the skin and gills of fish.

fish louse

noun

any small flat rounded crustacean of the subclass Branchiura , having sucking mouth parts: parasites of fish

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This superstition probably arose from the fact that a parasitic crustacean, known to watermen as "a fish louse," was often found clinging to the roof of the menhaden's mouth.