A genus of marine parasitic worms that attach to fish gills and feed on blood.
From Greek 'branchia' (gill) + 'ellion' (diminutive/worm-like suffix), combining to mean 'small gill-like creature.' The scientific name reflects its parasitic habitat and behavior.
Branchellion worms are vampire-like parasites—they inject anticoagulants into fish gills so they can feed on blood without clotting, a strategy similar to how actual vampire bats and mosquitoes work.
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