Sea Louse

Natatolana woodjonesi

Systematics: Isopoda Family Cirolanidae

Distinguishing Characters:
The 25 mm body is shiny white with black eyes on the side of the head. The hinder-most legs are broader than those at the front and fringed with hairs. The tail segment is pointed with pointed uropods.

Habitat and Distribution:
Sea lice live on the surface of sand in shallow water and scavenge on dead and dying fishes and other animals. This is one of numerous similar species of Cirolanidae. The family is world wide.

General Biology:
Species of the family Cirolanidae are often very common. Active at night when they swim, they can reduce a dead fish to a skeleton in a few hours. Although usually resting buried in sand they are active swimmers when searching for food. Sea lice can make themselves a nuisance to fisherman by eating their bait, and more rarely to the unfortunate swimmer by inflicting small wounds with their sharp mandibles.