Vandellia diffusa, commonly known as the candiru fish, is a parasitic freshwater catfish species that belongs to the family Trichomycteridae. It is found in the Amazon River basin and other rivers in South America.
Measuring just a few centimeters in length, the candiru fish is known for its unique and alarming behavior. It is infamous for its alleged ability to parasitize humans, particularly in the urethra, leading to stories and myths surrounding its parasitic tendencies. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support these claims, and such incidents seem to be very rare occurrences.
The candiru fish is cylindrical in shape, with a transparent or slightly translucent body. It has sharp, needle-like teeth and barbs on its gill covers that help it to anchor onto the gill tissues of its hosts. The fish is an obligate parasite, which means it relies on a host organism to survive and reproduce.
The primary host of Vandellia diffusa is believed to be larger fish, such as catfish or other predatory species. It is thought to swim upstream and attach itself to the gills or fins of these hosts to extract blood and nutrients. The exact method by which the candiru fish locates its hosts is still not fully understood.
In conclusion, Vandellia diffusa, commonly known as the candiru fish, is a small parasitic catfish species found in South American rivers. While it has gained notoriety due to its alleged parasitic tendencies towards humans, scientific evidence supporting these claims is scarce.
