Henneguya, also know as “tapioca” or “milk flesh” disease, is a protozoan parasite sometimes found in the muscle of Pacific Salmon. There is no human health or fish mortality concerns associated with Henneguya, but the white cysts are visually unappealing.

The parasite gets spread in the spawning grounds by post-spawning Salmon who have the parasite. While they decompose, the cysts rupture and release spores into the water and later infect juvenile salmon before they swim to the ocean.

If you come across a fish with tapioca spores, you can cut out the cysts when filleting it. The quality of the fish is not affected by the cysts and you can cook and enjoy the salmon as usual.