For more information on human mucophagy, seeEating mucus.
Mucophagy (literally "mucus feeding") is defined as the act of feeding onmucus offishes orinvertebrates.[1] Also, it may refer to consumption of mucus or dried mucus inprimates.
There are mucophagousparasites, such as some types ofsea lice that attach themselves togill segments of fish.[2] In addition, these mucophages may serve as cleaners of other animals, usually fishes.[3]
Another usage of this term is in reference to the feeding organ rich in mucous cells in which water is pumped, feeding particles get entrapped in mucus, and the latter proceeds into theesophagus.[4]
