Phylum: Annelida

Class: Hirudinea

 

Norwegian: igler

(Storsteinan - The Trondheim fjord / 08.05.2001 / 18 meters)

Leeches have relatively few segments and no bristles. The body is often cylindrical with one sucker at each end. The front sucker surrounds the mouth and is usually smaller than the rear one. Anus is placed just in front of the rear sucker.

Marine leeches feed on body fluids from fishes. They leave their hosts only to attach cocoons to rocks, shells and other hard surfaces.