Experimental Infection of Blue Rockfish (Sebastes mystinus)with Larval Anisakid Nematodes

Abstract

Five hundred and sixty blue rockfish (Sebastes mystinus) from central California were found to have no larval anisakid nematodes. The diet and presence of larval anisakids in S. mystinus are compared to five other species of rockfishes form the same kelp forest. Sebastes mystinus was successfully infected with larval anisakids in laboratory experiments. It is suggested that host diet plays an important role in limiting natural infections.