Amazonian fish - Truth or Urban Myth?

[Headtime]

Has anyone heard of a South American fish that swims up the stream of urine into it's victims penis, from anyone unwary enough to wee into the amazon?

Not being peurile, just trying to settle an argument. Thanks!

[robber1]

Hope someone gives a better answer than mine, but I am sure you are right. Not certain if it is a fish or some smaller river dweller. The pain in terrible apparantly and I think eggs are laid in the bladder. Urgggg....

[Quizmonster]

Click http://www.straightdope.com/columns/010907.html for the StraightDope website's view on the topic.

[Headtime]

Genii the both of you. Mr Quiz. You are amazing!

[Quizmonster]

Thank you...you're too kind, H. I just hope the answer came out on your side of the argument!

[jakesi]

Ooooh that made my toes curl :o

[archbishop]

A bit GROSS if you ask me.

[Gef]

Perhaps they should put them in public swimming pools!

[andy hughes]

The fish is called a Vandellia Ciarrhosa, a native of the catfish family. It's about an inch long, its body is about the thickness of a pencil. Although this fish normally makes its home in the gills of larger fish, it has been known to swim up a urine stream and (brace yourselves boys!) into the host penis via the urethra. Once there, it suffocates within a few minutes, and blocks the urethra causing limitless agony until its removal - which is by way of surgery with anesthetic if you are a Westerner with access to such facilities, or if you are a native, amputation seems to be the popular solution. Well, you did ask!