They have flat bodies covered by a carapace, and have two large suction cups, one on either side their heads.

Chonopeltis feed on various tissues, including mucus, internal fluids, and sloughed-off scales.

Gravid females do not leave the host to lay eggs, as they are poor swimmers.

[5] This is in contrast to other members of the family Argulidae, who must leave their hosts to mate.

To lay they eggs, the females do not leave the fish host, but lean off.