Little Fish that Can Climb Your Urethra While Urinating

From: Dan H.

Sent: July 12, 2013

To: undisclosed recipients

Subject: Fw: Little Fish that Can Climb Your Urethra While Urinating

Candiru also known as toothpick fish, is a parasitic freshwater catfish native to the Amazon River. Although some candiru species have been known to grow to a size of 16 inches (~41 cm) in length, others are considerably smaller. These smaller species are known for an alleged tendency to invade and parasitize the human urethra. The candiru usually targets a big fish as its host, drinking blood from its gills, but occasionally they make mistakes. Bathers in the region are, however, warned not to urinate while swimming, out of concern that the expansion of the urethra during urination will allow the fish to enter the otherwise closed orifice.