CANDIRU. Can it really do that?
Candiru has earned parasite status. I heard something interesting about the Candiru that made me wonder if it was true. As usual, lets start with a taste of the urban legend with a video, this one is from BBC.
The video makes it sounds pretty factual but Candiru attacks are actually contested over, with many claiming that it really is just legend and folklore. Many are even skeptical about whether it is even possible or not.
As the video implies, legend has it that you only have to pee in the Amazon River and the Candiru will enter your urethra. Furthermore, also according to legend, this can happen whether or not you are submerged and regardless of gender. Apparently it's because fish excrete the same combination of urea and ammonia that we dispel in our urine and this attracts the Candiru who usually host on the gills of fish. The fish then target the host, slip themselves inside and latch on with their barbs. Can the Candiru really host on a human? It's a pretty horrific claim.
Reasons people contest the legend are usually for the following reasons:
the fish is often bigger than the urethra
the fish is unlikely to benefit from a human host and is likely to die
it is doubted the Candiru are capable of the right force and speed to enter the urethra
Modern day 'attacks' are uncommon
There's a few people that have claimed that they have had this experience. Some say the fish went the whole way in while some say it was too big and that it was stuck part way. Have a look at this next video from the show 'River Monsters'. I apologise that it ends abruptly and goes straight to advertising.
It sounds pretty uncomfortable. Lets hope everyone spoke the same language at the hospital. That would be a tough time for a language barrier.
Not convinced yet that it could be possible? How about one last video. This one is from History HD.
Y' know what. It turns out the Amazon is pretty far from the top of my list of places to visit for various reasons so I might not even find if it is true. I think I'll leave that legend as it is, presumed true. I've seen enough but maybe I'm not that hard to convince. I admit I still wonder a bit though. If you ever go to the Amazon River feel free to pee in the water and post me a story. I'll write one your behalf.
-Mez