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Candiru or candirú (also canero or toothpick fish) refers to parasitic freshwater catfish of a number of genera in the family Trichomycteridae. They are found in the Amazon River and have a reputation among the natives as the most feared fish in its waters, even over the piranha.[1] They are eel-shaped and translucent, making them almost impossible to see in the water. Some species have been known to grow to a size of 6 inches (~15 cm) in length. The definition of candiru differs between authors. The word has been used to refer to only Vandellia cirrhosa, the entire genus Vandellia, the subfamily Vandelliinae, or even the two subfamilies Vandelliinae and Stegophilinae. The most populated area by this fish is at the junction of the Amazon River and the Rio Negro ("Black River" so named for its apparent color) at Brazil's inland city of Manaos. Here they thrive as the low PH, brown, largely organic material based Amazon river churns with the conversely high PH (basic), oligotrophic (with very low nutrient content; ie organic material) tannin saturated flows of the Rio Negro. This mixing point provides a rich diversity of sustained fauna. Candiru are parasites. Their ability to detect respiratory currents in the water allows them to swim into the gill openings of other aquatic species, where they feed on their prey's blood. While the members of the subfamily Vandelliinae feed on blood, members of Stegophilinae may feed on scales, mucus, or carrion.[6] The fish almost "hunts" for its prey. The Candirú lies in wait at the river's murky bottom, searching for its next host by sampling/sniffing the water for expelled chemicals, such as urea and ammonia from the gills of other fish. Once having detected a fish in the vicinity, with a burst of speed the Candirú darts towards the gill cavity and lodges itself in place with its spines. Then, with usually fatal consequences for its victim, the Candirú begins to gnaw a hole towards a major blood vessel and gorges itself for no more than a maximum of a few minutes. It will then dislodge itself and sink back to the river bed in order to digest its food and wait for its next meal.