Abstract
The development of infections of Gyrodactylus colemanensis Mizelle and Kritsky, 1967 (Monogenea) and their effect on fry of Salmo gairdneri Richardson are examined experimentally. Starting with initial infection of 1 to 10 worms per fry, intensity in 2 replicate groups increased to peaks of 55 to 65 on day 22 post-infection and declined to 0 by days 67 and 85 post-infection. The parasites were numerically aggregated within the host groups and there was a negative correlation between intensity and fish size. Infections did not influence growth or survival of the host and produced no clinical signs of disease.