What is "hexamita"

Hexamita is a genus of parasitic diplomonads. It is related to Giardia. H. columbae and H. meleagridis lives in the intestines of birds. H. muris and H. pitheci lives in the intestines of mammals. H. salmonis and H. truttae lives in the intestines of fish.

The genus also includes the species Hexamita inflata.

It is believed that Hexamita parasites are one possible cause for head and lateral line erosion ("hole-in-the-head disease") in aquarium fishes.