The specific name turnbulli honours parasitologist Eleanor Rae Turnbull "who first described gyrodactylids from guppies".

Attachment to the fish allows G. turnbulli to feed on the gills using its prohaptor, which is located on the anterior end.

Gyrodactylus turnbulli has a direct life cycle, meaning they can reproduce without an intermediate host.

[3] Monogeneans also have the ability to survive praziquantel treatment because they can be protected by mucus that the fish produces.

Hydrogen peroxide (300–560 mg/L) can also cure infection, but is not recommended because poeciliids cannot handle a high dosage.

[3] Formalin, a solution that is approved by the FDA, can be used to treat freshwater fish; however, it removes a large amount of oxygen from water.

[3] Infection of Poecilia reticulata by Gyrodactylus turnbulli can be prevented by dipping the freshwater fish in salt water, since the ectoparasite rests in rivers and streams.