glochidia

[ad_1] noun, plural glo·chid·i·a [gloh-kid-ee-uh] /gloʊˈkɪd i ə/.

1. glochid.
2. the larva of a freshwater mussel of the family Unionidae that lives as a temporary parasite in the gills or on other external parts of fishes.

noun plural -chidia (-ˈkɪdɪə)

1. a barbed hair, esp among the spore masses of water ferns and on certain other plants
2. a parasitic larva of certain freshwater mussels that attaches itself to the fins or gills of fish by hooks or suckers

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