This paper is only available as a PDF. To read, Please Download here.
Candirú is a tiny Amazonian parasitic catfish reported to swim into urethral and other body openings of unprotected bathers. It is also known as canero, carnero, and urethra fish, and is a member of the genus Vandellia. When it swims into the urethra, it can be difficult to pull out by its tail because the umbrella-like spines near its head may extend and prevent its removal. Forced extraction may cause lacerations of the urethral mucus membranes, which has caused death by exsanguination. Remedies have ranged from penile amputation and suprapubic cystostomy to application of a native herb that softens the spines of the candirú, so it can be removed relatively atraumatically. A tight bathing suit can prevent entry of the fish into the human urethra. Megadose vitamin C therapy may aid in removal of the fish.
Key words
References
- On the alleged penetration of the human urethra by an Amazonian catfish called candirú with a review of the allied habits of other members of the family pygidiidae, Part I.Am J Surgery. 1930; 8: 170-188
Grzimek, B. ed. Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. Vol. 4. Fishes 1. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1973. Encyclopedia Britannica, 15th ed., articles on fish, catfish, and candirú.
- Hazardous aquatic life.in: Auerbach P.S. Geehr E.C. Management of Wilderness and Environmental Emergencies. 2nd ed. C.V. Mosby Company, St. Louis1989
- 15th ed. The New Encyclopedia Britannica. Vol.2. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., Chicago1990
- Feeding of reportedly parasitic catfishes (trichomycteridae and cetopsidae) in the Rio Portuguesa Basin, Venezuela.Biotropica. 1980; 12: 182-186
- Redescription of Vandellia beccarii (siluriformes: trichomycteridae) from Guyana.Copeia. 1987; : 234-237
- On the alleged penetration of the human urethra by an Amazonian catfish called candirú with a review of the allied habits of other members of the family pygidiidae, Part II.Am J Surgery. 1930; 8: 443-456
- Candirú: urinophilic catfish. Its gift to urology.Urology. 1973; 1: 265-267
- Burton M. The World Encyclopedia of Animals. World Publishing, New York1972
- The carnero, a fish parasite of man and possibly of other mammals.Am J Surgery. 1941; 54: 511-519
- The Candirú.Paul B. Hoeber, Inc, New York1930
Poeppig, E. Reisein Chile, Peru, und auf dem Amazonenstrome, währendder Jahre 1827–1832. Leipzig, 1836.
Article info
Identification
Copyright
© 1991 Wilderness Medical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
