Cymothoa exigua is just one of nearly 400 species of cymothoids. You can find out more about other tongue-biting cymothoid species and how they're studied in this Australian Museum blog. And you can learn all about the life, history, behavior, and distribution of cymothoids in general by reading this International Journal for Parasitology review.

In addition to cymothoids, there are many other fascinating parasites in the ocean. Check out this Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History article to learn about a few more of these cool creatures. And if you're interested in deep sea ecosystems, watch this BBC Earth video to learn about the parasites that live far beneath the water's surface.

One strategy that some fish use to get rid of cymothoids and other parasites is to form a mutualistic relationship with cleaner shrimp. The shrimp get a tasty meal by picking off and eating the fish's parasites, and the fish stays clean and healthy as a result. Check out this Nat Geo WILD video to see a cleaner shrimp in action.