SCOTCAT.COM

your internet guide to all things catfish

Trichomycteridae

This South American family are commonly known as Parasitic Cats or by the local indigenous populations as "candiru". Stories abound on the notoriety of this family due to their habit of lodging themselves in the gill cavities of other larger fish and biting the gill filaments, thereby feeding on the blood. There has also been instances where they have entered the human urethra, probably by mistake, of bathers and mammals urinating under water.

Not a lot is known of them as aquarium fish and only experiences with them in a larger group could bring further information to the catfish enthusiast.

COMMON NAMES
Scientific Names > Common Names > Synonyms > Image Contributors

Candiru

Dwarf Parasitic Catfish

Glass Candiru

Glass Parasitic Catfish

Jaguar Candiru

Lancet bloodsucker

Leopard Candiru

Parasitic catfish

Pencil catfish

Spotted parasitic catfish

Vandellia Candiru

Venezuelan parasitic catfish

Violet Candiru

Back to Photo Gallery

Scientific Names

Common Names

Synonyms

Image Contributors

If you would like to contribute to the monthly factsheets with an article, information or photos, please e-mail me. You will of course be credited for your work.

If you would like to donate any denomination of monies to the site just click the above link button. All proceeds will go to running the site and hopefully to keep it going for a few years yet.