Thanks for that very appreciated input, snrub. I don't see any snails at all in my shallows, which is what prompted my question. Knowing my RES don't necessarily need snails/mussels to survive makes me feel better, especially since I've got forage/fry coming out the wazzoo. I've never seen anything I could definitely say was RES when feeding, but if they don't surface feed much, I wouldn't anyway.

That being said, I guess I need to pay closer attention to my fish when I catch them to see if this parasite shows up.

.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!