Candiru

amazon river · catfish · parasitic · south america

Tiny Amazon hunters. Candiru are small catfish that live in South American rivers, especially the Amazon. Some species are parasites that attach to larger fish and feed on their blood or body fluids.

Sneaky feeders. These fish are famous for sneaking up to bigger fish and using special spines or hooks to grab onto their gills or sides. Once attached, they drink the host fish's blood like tiny vampires of the water.

Scavenger cousins. Not all candiru are parasites. Some species are scavengers that clean up leftovers and dead bits from the river floor, playing an important cleanup role in their ecosystem.

Speed and stealth. Candiru are built for quick, sneaky attacks with streamlined bodies and sensitive whiskers to find their prey in dark, murky river water.