Species of Microcotyle are ectoparasites that affect their host by attaching themselves as larvae on the gills of the fish and grow into adult stage.

[1] Individuals of species of Microcotyle, like any typical polyopisthocotylean monogenean, have an anterior organ called prohaptor, which is mainly used for feeding and attachment.

The opisthaptor is found in all Microcotyle species and it is an important attachment organ that allows these ectoparasites to latch onto their hosts.

Each worm has reproductive organs such as vas deferens, testis, uterus, vitelline duct, ovary, and vitellaria.

A short duct that opens to the outside on the dorsal surface is composed of four canals on each side, two posterior and two anterior, that come together laterally to the cirrus.

The oncomiracidia, free swimming form larvae, move around and attach to another fish and grow into adult stage.