Lepeophtheirus pectoralis copepodid stage, during which the copepod attaches itself to the fish. Stages IV, V, VI and VII are the chalimus stages, and are followed by the pre-adult and adult stages, when differentiation of males and females is possible. Lepeophtheirus pectoralis Lepeophtheirus pectoralis is a species of parasitic copepod. It is a parasite of flatfish, the most frequent hosts being the European flounder ("Platichthys flesus"), the plaice ("Pleuronectes platessa"), and the dab ("Limanda limanda"). It feeds on the mucus, skin and blood of the fish, with oviferous females being found in the pectoral and pelvic fins of the host, while immature
Pacific sanddab Pacific sanddab The Pacific sanddab ("Citharichthys sordidus") is a species of flatfish. It is by far the most common sanddab, and it shares its habitat with the longfin sanddab ("C. xanthostigma") and the speckled sanddab ("C. stigmaeus"). It is a medium-sized flatfish, with a light brown color mottled brown or black, occasionally with white or orange spots. The Pacific sanddab is endemic to the northern Pacific Ocean, from the Sea of Japan to the coast of California. They are most commonly found at depths of , though the young inhabit shallower waters, occasionally moving into tide pools. It is an