mucophagy

Mucophagy (literally "mucus feeding") is defined as the act of feeding on mucus of fishes or invertebrates. Also, it may refer to consumption of mucus or dried mucus in primates.

There are mucophagous parasites, such as some types of sea lice that attach themselves to gill segments of fish. In addition, these mucophages may serve as cleaners of other animals, usually fishes.