By  Gurpreet Singh | October 12, 2025

Top 10 Blood-Sucking Worms of the Water World

Leeches

Leeches attach to hosts, feeding on blood while secreting anticoagulants to keep the blood flowing.

Image: Canva

Horsehair Worms

These parasites manipulate insects, forcing them into water where the worm completes its strange lifecycle.

Image: Canva

Nematomorphs

Blood-sucking nematomorphs are masters of mind control, emerging only after their host enters water.

Image: Canva

Found in marine environments, these worms pierce fish to suck blood using their sharp proboscis.

Image: Canva

Eel Parasites

Certain worms attach to eels, drinking blood while remaining hidden under slimy scales.

Image: Canva

Freshwater Lamprey

Lamprey-like worms latch onto fish, rasping skin and consuming blood in freshwater rivers globally.

Image: Canva

Crustacean Parasites

Tiny worms feed on crabs and shrimps, drawing blood to sustain their underwater lifecycle.

Image: Canva

Hookworm Larvae

Waterborne hookworm larvae penetrate skin, feeding on blood and causing serious infections in humans.

Image: Canva

Tongue Worms

Tiny worms feed on crabs and shrimps, drawing blood to sustain their underwater lifecycle.

Image: Canva

Polychaete Blood Worms

Tiny worms feed on crabs and shrimps, drawing blood to sustain their underwater lifecycle.

Image: Canva

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