The fish of this genus are the true vampire-style parasites of the otherwise ill-named parasitic catfish family. In nature they sense the passing of larger fish by the dissolved waste in the water streaming out of their gills. This attracts the parasite to the gill cavity where it feeds, dropping off to lie on the substrate when sated and visibily full to bursting with blood. Legends abound and surround this fish as it can mistake the urination of partially submerged mammals (including humans) for the exhalent gills of fishes and enter the urogenital openings of the very unfortunate mammal.
A fascinating piece of trivia is that this fish is often referred to as the only vetebrate parasite of man.
Widespread in the amazon and orinoco basins. Amazon(click on these areas to find other species found there) Orinoco(click on these areas to find other species found there)
Despite recorded attempts to feed this fish chopped fish gills, blood (via a dropper) and conventional foods, it appears this fish is specialised to the point that it can only feed from live fish.
Doesn't appear to like bright conditions, so floating plants should be offered. When not actively swimming around in search of its next victim, the fish will rest on the bottom, particularly after feeding.
(1) Attu, (2) Brooklamprey. Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "My Cats" data for this species.
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