Protocol for Removal of the Marine Leech Stibarobdella moorei (Oka, 1910) from the Two-Spotted Octopus, Octopus bimaculatus (Verril, 1883)

Abstract: Cephalopods are infested by a wide variety of internal and external parasites, and although they have the ability to remove them, this ability may be limited when a high parasitic load occurs. Additionally, when the parasite is harmful, it may cause adverse effects on the health of the host and even death if not timely eliminated. Several treatments have been applied to eliminate the parasites in cephalopods but few have proved to be effective. This study examines an effective treatment for the elimination of the leech Stibarobdela moorei present in the epidermis of the adult of Octopus bimaculatus (Verril, 1883) captured in the Mexican Pacific Ocean, which, if used properly, does not have any side effects on humans or organisms in cultivation. The treatment consists of immersions in seawater with clove oil at a concentration of 0.45 ml l-1 for two minutes; the advantage is that it can be applied as often as necessary until the leeches are eliminated completely from the octopods. It is recommended that the treatment be applied with a minimum interval of 3 days between each application with the purpose of reducing the stress of the octopuses, caused by the manipulation.