NATCHEZ — Small crustaceans — not fishy foul play — were responsible for the death of gold fish earlier this summer in the fountain at Memorial Park.

Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell said officials from Mississippi State University said parasites commonly known as anchor worms were responsible for the death of the fish in June.

Grennell said fish experts determined the parasite called Lernaea had infected the pool and led to the death of the fish.

Although they are called anchor worms, the parasites are actually small crustaceans that attach themselves to a fish’s skin and then bury their heads deep into the muscle.

Left untreated, the parasites can lead to a growth of bacteria that can be fatal.

“It is not a common thing, but it can happen,” Grennell said.

MSU experts, Grennell said, suggest eggs of the parasites were more than likely introduced to the fish by way of birds.

“The eggs hatch out into larvae and attach to the fish if they happen to come in contact with them,” Grennell said.

Since samples of the fish were sent to Mississippi State for examination, Grennell said he has been asked by numerous residents about what was discovered.

“Many have been concerned that foul play was involved,” Grennell said. “Thank God that was not the case.”

In June, the mayor said officials suspected spoiled food thrown into the pool from park vistiors may have created an ideal situation for bacteria and toxins to grow in the pool.

Uneaten pieces of bread were seen floating in the pool when the dead fish were retrieved from the fountain.

The mayor said the city has started treating the water with chemicals recommended by Mississippi State officials to eradicate the parasites and protect the remaining fish in the fountain.