Larval anisakid infections of some tropical fish species from north-west Australia

Despite the commercial and zoonotic importance of larval anisakid infestations of teleosts, their distribution among Australia's diverse marine fish fauna is poorly understood. A preliminary survey of Australia's tropical north-west revealed a generally high prevalence of larval anisakids representing four genera (Anisakis, Terranova, Thynnascaris and Raphidascaris) among only seven fish species. The potential impact of high larval anisakid infections on both the health of recreational fishermen and aquaculture environments is discussed.