Life underwater is littered with gimmicks and anomalies and among them, most bizarre and notorious, is the so-called “penis fish.” The parasite is known officially as Echinochasmus, and it is widely shared online along with the bizarre tales of swimming up a man’s urethra. But what exactly is this monstrous monster? Are there any truths to the “penis fish” legend, or is it just a fishy story to be read to shock and amaze?
The Science Behind the Name
The word “penis fish” is sometimes applied to a particular species of fish: the Echinochasmus or, in its strictest form, Echinochasmus deani, a freshwater eel. The fish inhabits numerous areas, including South America, especially in the Amazon river basin. Its name comes from the long, thin shape and flailing movement that makes it conjure up images of male organs.
But, let’s be clear, the “penis fish” isn’t the only animal that has been correlated with our own body. Indeed, many marine species have been named in the same way because of their unusual shapes or movements. The most famous of these is the renowned candiru fish, a tiny parasitic catfish that lives in the Amazon.
The Candiru: The True Culprit?
A tiny, transparent catfish, the candiru, Vandellia cirrhosa, is infamous for burrowing into the urethras of unsuspecting swimmers. The legend goes back to local legends, where men were reported to be uncomfortable with the fish invading their intestines while taking a swim in the river.
It’s a fish, of course, but the risk of a candiru sucking up a human urethra is highly exaggerated. Icthyologists and urologists agree that, although the candiru might sometimes breach other fish’s gills, any suggestion that it kills people is largely a fiction fuelled by sensationalism. As far as science is concerned, it has occasionally been said, but those instances are exceedingly uncommon and not supported by evidence.
The Dangers of the Candiru Experience
Even so, for all its dubious renown, the candiru is dangerous, but not in the conventional sense. Introducing a candiru into one’s urine (whether intentionally or not) would be an act that brought extreme pain and even harm. The spines of the fish could make its removal difficult and would produce medical issues that would require professional assistance.
Where there are reports of such crimes, they are usually perpetrated by drunk or deranged men who go off on their own. This is where the real threat lies not with the predatoriness of the fish but with the potential to cause catastrophic harm to humans.
Myth vs. Reality
As dramatic as candiru tales have been, scientists have noted that the line between myth and reality is quite a long one.
1. Evidence for Candiru Attacks
As thrilling as candiru attacks might be, scientists have described a stark mismatch between fiction and reality. Almost all of the documentation of these supposedly invasions relies on anecdotal reports instead of rigorous scientific ones. As researchers have studied these allegations over the years, the actual numbers of instances of candiru incursions into humans are extraordinarily low, and a large percentage of reports are either false or exaggerated.
Indeed, according to one recent study, led by the ichthyologist Dr Andrew D G McMahon, the candiru do live a parasitic lifestyle (grazing on the blood of larger fish) but will probably never kill humans, as folklore suggests. His research found that the vast majority of candiru attacks are misreported or fake, demonstrating how important it is to examine sources in sensationalist accounts.
2. Pool Hazards: Protect Yourself From the Risks.
One important thing to keep in mind is that there is very little chance of a candiru invasion, particularly for a sensible swimmer. One of the best ways to keep them at bay is to avoid peeing in rivers where they live and stay aware of your surroundings when you swim. Given the immense size of the Amazon and its streams, chances of encountering a candiru in the pool are low for swimmers who exercise modest precautions.
In addition, there are few instances of real candiru invading humans. Most reported cases involve other aquatic life or incidents that have nothing to do with the fish itself. That should bring some relief to anyone who takes pleasure in fishing in the Amazon or other freshwater lakes.
3. Media Sensation
Media coverage is vital in making the candiru seem real, and leads to misconceptions. With the tales of the “penis fish” appearing in documentaries, horror movies and social media, these stories were spun into legends, making the candiru into an urban legend. Like most myths, the more extreme the narrative, the more likely it is to be retained and transmitted.
Images of the candiru, paired with overly dramatic headlines, and even images of how the small fish is filmed just make it all the more terrifying. Such sensationalism can mislead public opinion and create unwarranted fear of freshwater swimming.
Other Fish with Interesting Traits
Although the candiru is perhaps most notorious, there are other fish whose traits are unusual. Ichthyology, however, is littered with fascinating aquatic species, many of which evolved peculiar survival skills.
Psychedelic Rockcod: This is a highly pigmented fish, which makes it appear to blend into its surroundings. Its bright colouration isn’t merely ornamental: it protects itself from predators.
Surinam Toad: Not a fish, but nonetheless an amphibian with an unusual appearance and reproductive habits that should not be overlooked. The female carries fertilised eggs in pockets on her back until they hatch, another manifestation of nature’s absurd ingenuity.
Parasitic Isopods: These crustaceans are notoriously brutal. Others attach themselves to fish and eat their blood and tissues, demonstrating the dark side of aquatic animals.
Final Thoughts: Is There Really A ‘penis Fish’ That Swims Up The Urethra?
This “penis fish” – with its purported propensity to float on the urethra – is an interesting example of a blend of legend, science, and the often bizarre aquatic world. While the candiru has grown into an object of horror and wonder, its encounters with human beings are not nearly as dramatic as they are in the myths.
To deconstruct our concepts of nature, it is important to know the truth about these myths. Water has the power to continually introduce new creatures and behaviours – and it’s nature that surprises us – sometimes as much as it teaches us.
So next time you hear about the notorious “penis fish,” just remember that fiction is sometimes more real than fact — and sometimes more real than what we think.
