also: うおじらみ
noun
Japanese fish louse; Argulus japonicus
A parasitic crustacean that attaches to the skin of freshwater fish, especially koi and goldfish. The term is used in aquarium and fishery contexts.
金魚の体にウオジラミがついている。
There is a fish louse attached to the goldfish's body.
ウオジラミは魚の体液を吸って害を与える。
Fish lice harm fish by sucking their bodily fluids.
Kanji form literally meaning 'goldfish louse'. Rarely used.
Search-only kanji-kana hybrid form; not a standard spelling.
An alternative gikun reading for the same kanji forms, but rarely used in modern Japanese. ウオジラミ is the standard term.
Compound of 魚 (uo, 'fish') and 虱 (shirami, 'louse'). The reading うおじらみ is a straightforward combination; the gikun reading ちょう is of uncertain origin.