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Normally the candiru lives an ectoparasitic existence, entering the [[gills|gill]] cavities of larger fish to bite off scraps of tissue or drink their blood.

Normally the candiru lives an ectoparasitic existence, entering the [[gills|gill]] cavities of larger fish to bite off scraps of tissue or drink their blood.

Although it is only a tiny, translucent [[eel]]-like creature no more than six inches long at most, the candiru is widely feared, perhaps even more so than the [[pirhana]], for its habit of entering the human [[urethra]], which it is popularly believed to locate by following a scent trail. Erectile spines on its head, used to attach to the fish it feeds upon,  make it almost impossible to extract without surgery; given the paucity of medical facilities in the [[Amazon River|Amazon]] region, most persons so afflicted die in horrific agony.

Although it is only a tiny, translucent [[eel]]-like creature no more than six inches long at most, the candiru is widely feared, perhaps even more so than the [[piranha]], for its habit of entering the human [[urethra]], which it is popularly believed to locate by following a scent trail. Erectile spines on its head, used to attach to the fish it feeds upon,  make it almost impossible to extract without surgery; given the paucity of medical facilities in the [[Amazon River|Amazon]] region, most persons so afflicted die in horrific agony.

Stories about the candirú swimming up a stream of urine were thought to be false, until one recent well-documented case.<ref> http://www.straightdope.com/columns/010907.html</ref>

Stories about the candiru swimming up a stream of urine were thought to be false, until one recent well-documented case.<ref> http://www.straightdope.com/columns/010907.html</ref>

[http://www.angelfire.com/biz/piranha038/candiru.html The candiru, and accounts of the extraction procedure]

[http://www.angelfire.com/biz/piranha038/candiru.html The candiru, and accounts of the extraction procedure]

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