This means that it has a sort of horny structure that is part of its exoskeleton and is made up of calcium carbonate.

In addition to this exoskeleton in isopods, cymothoa elegans have their upper-surface of their body made up of overlapping plates that provide both protection and flexibility for the specimen to move.

[3] They have jointed limbs with non-specialized legs and these parasitic isopods are similar in size and environment to amphipods.

[4] In addition, these wounds that the fish create can cause entry points for microbes and further disease.

[6] It is unclear whether or not Cymothoa elegans are hermaphrodites, meaning they are born a male and develop into females later in life.