At least 100 species belong to the acanthocephalan genus Neoechinorhynchus. These are all fish parasites, which live half their life in the fish and half in an invertebtrate alternate host, typically a crustacean.
Distribution
Worldwide in coastal waters
Hosts
Many species of marine fishes
Life Cycle Diagram: 
Detection Methods:
gross pathology / gross clinical signs
microscopic exam - wet mount
microscopic exam - histology