Worm in perch?

[Old Man Winter]

Today I was filleting perch (from Holter) we caught yesterday. One had a ~12" worm inside of it's abdomen. The worm was creamy-gray and really looked like a rotini noodle that had come undone and was stretched out to 12". I've filleted thousands of panfish and am very familiar with black specks and white flakes (like a weirdly shaped rice). Never seen this before. Anyone else?

[Idahogator]

I've seen it in several species around the country.  Just tossed the worm(s) and eat the fish.   

It could be considered a lack of pesticides in the water or fish.   

[Old Man Winter]

That's what I did also.

It's a little stuck in my mind, though. Made an impression. Been ok with visible parasites for a long time, but this was a new one for me.

[Idahogator]

Rather spooky when ya stretch them out and they move. Yikes !     

[BloodShotP]

Sounds like a tapeworm....

[njoy]

Had some in some perch we caught this summer from Holter also. Was glad the wife was not helping. Would have been the end of the fish fry. Gross looking when they move and uncurl. Did look like a tapeworm.

[missoulafish]

Caught a large sucker once through the ice. Was exceptionally fat. Cut it open to see what it was eating. Had a tape worm about 3 feet long in it and about an inch wide in it. Still have nightmares about it.

[fishermantim]

What, no pics???

[slickice]

If it was long & flat with segments,probably a tapeworm.  Strictly intestinal so meat is safe to eat.

[Perch-Eye]

I've never seen any worms in my perch but did find some on my plate at a chinese buffet that was on 10th ave south in Great Falls. I went back for seconds and thirds and when I was just about done eating I found two little white worms on my plate. I wasn't too happy but the health dept closed them down about two weeks later.


Ken...........

[Quantoson]

What, no pics???