Bony fish · Siluriformes · Trichomycteridae

Vampire Fish

Vandellia cirrhosa

Not Evaluated

It has not yet been assessed against the IUCN criteria. See full glossary

The candiru, also known as the vampire fish, and in Spanish as candiro azul, pez benator, canero or cañero, is a freshwater fish of the order Siluriformes, belonging to the catfish family, that lives in the Amazon River. It is particularly famous and feared for the myth that it lodges itself in the genital or excretory openings of its victims to feed on their blood, something that has never been demonstrated. Individuals of up to 22 cm have been recorded, and it is elongated and transparent, which makes it practically undetectable under water. It is usually found in parts of the river with strong currents, although it can also be found in the lagoons left behind as the water drops in the river channel.

Size

up to 17 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Sighting difficulty

Unknown

FreshwaterCarnivore Fish Freshwater

12countries 26parks

Fun facts

GeneralAn almost transparent parasitic catfish that works its way into the gills of larger fish.
It feeds on blood: it enters the gill cavity of larger fish, attaches to an artery and lets the host's own blood pressure pump blood into its mouth, in bouts of between 30 and 145 seconds.
The Vandelliinae are one of only two groups of jawed vertebrates that feed exclusively on blood.
Its translucent body makes it almost invisible in turbid water.