There’s a lot of argument over which fish is the most dangerous in the ocean, but when it comes to freshwater fish, there’s no contest. Forget about piranha, freshwater stingrays, and 500-pound catfish—the South American Candiru is the hands-down winner.
This relatively small
fish follows urine trails until it reaches the source, then burrows inside. Ouch. After slithering up the urethra the candiru uses hook-like spines in its head to attach itself in place. So ensconced, surgery is required to remove one of these organic invaders.
Think this is a joke? There are no ha-has, here, and if you don’t believe it check out www.angelfire.com/biz/piranha038/candiru.html. You’ll see photographic evidence of a urologist, Dr. Anoar Samad, removing a candiru from unfortunate victim Silvio Barbossa. Barbossa was relieving himself while standing in the Amazon River, where the candiru is found, with his equipment just above the waterline. He watched in horror as a candiru shot out of the water and attacked. “When I saw it, I was terrified,” said Barbossa. “I grab it quickly so it wouldn’t go deep inside. I could only see the end of its tail flapping. I tried to grab it but it slipped away from me... It was slippery.”
What’s even more amazing is that the fish that attacked Barbossa was nearly six inches long and half an inch around (hence its nickname, the “toothpick” fish).
Genital might be involved, but there’s nothing gentle about an encounter with a candiru—and clearly, it deserves the title of the world’s most dangerous freshwater fish.
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An Earth Sports Monster Fish Week Article
William Shipes wrote 405 Days Ago Take a dive in the Santee and have a look at some of the catfish in there, especially by the dam, you'll prolly change your mind about who is the most dangerous. That little fish might hurt like heck but these catfish could eat you!Roger Eagans wrote 406 Days Ago The good news is that there is always "bait" available!
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