Rare Footage Captures Blood-Sucking Parasite Feasting on Gulper Eel

Rare deep-sea footage captured a bright-red blood-sucking parasite, likely a type of copepod, attached to a gulper eel in the Southeast Pacific Ocean. The parasite, suspected to be a Pennelid parasitic copepod, lives partially embedded in the eel's skin and feeds on blood and fluids. The footage, recorded by a remotely operated vehicle, provides a rare glimpse into the life of these parasites, shedding light on their complex life cycle and behavior.