Cymothoa exigua — Cryptozoological Nightmare

From the world of the bizarre, grotesque, and truly disgusting, today I bring you Cymothoa exigua. Tell me this doesn’t look like a cryptozoological nightmare. Absolutely revolting.

However,  it is real. Cymothoa exigua is a parasitic crustacean commonly referred to as the “tongue-eating louse”.  Rose spotted snappers are usually the victims of this horror, but it can attack other fish that are part of eight species in two orders and four families of fishes (3 snappers, 1 grunt, 3 drums, and 1 grunion).

The creature enters the fish’s body through the gills then secures itself to the back of the fish’s tongue by hooking its claws into the tongue. This action cuts off the blood flow to the tongue so that it atrophies and eventually falls off, leaving the parasite in place. Cymothoa exigua ingests the blood going to the tongue until the tongue falls off. After that happens, the parasite feeds on blood, mucus, and any stray bits of whatever the fish is eating.

Scientists say that apart from the tongue falling off, this horrible parasite doesn’t seem to do any more damage to the fish. (I would think that was more than enough, wouldn’t you?!)

Females reach between 0.3 to 1.1 inches in length (8-29 mm) while males reach 0.3-0.6 inches long (7.5-15 mm). Scientists believe juveniles enter the fish’s gills, then attach to the tongue and grow into adulthood there.

These awful creatures live in the waters of the Gulf of California down to the northern reaches of the Gulf of Guayaquil in Ecuador.

Can Cymothoa exigua affect humans? Mercifully, no. But scientists warn if you ever pick one up that is still alive, it could give you a nasty pinch. Remember lobsters and crabs are also crustaceans, and they, with Cymothoa exigua, all seem to share the painful pinching trait.

You have to think with creatures like this around, our usual cryptids seem a lot less scary! Who knows what else nature has in store for us to discover!

Keep your eyes open and your cameras charged and handy!

Til the next time!

5 comments

  1. nature is 100 percent evil, perverted, amoral and depraved in this universe. humans are dishonest though because it’s not just creatures likes this but humans too who are the same. actually most people are scum and think or do horrible things to others. not all people who are evil are just the pedophiles, murderers and rapists of the world. they are your backstabber at work, gossiper/’liar/slanderer, cheater, envy/jealousy, abuser, cruelty/meanness, selfishness etc. there are many forms of sociopathy and people are just as filthy because they evolved from filth. the gnostics were right more than christians (is that a surprise in this scummy universe?) in that whatever designed this universe must be a lower type of god or evil incarnate. this place and life is hideous except for those who are the scummiest and sociopathic. nature rewards these types in this revolting universe that should have never existed and does NOT deserve to exist. an abomination.

    • Hi Dan,

      I know this parasite is pretty disgusting and can excite a lot of negative feelings. I try to concentrate on the good things in the world, more than the bad or in this case, super gross and ugly. There is still a lot of beauty and wonderful things in the world. I hope you find some nicer people to share it with.

      Thank you for visiting CryptoVille!

  2. Apparently one of those pinched onto my daughter’s neck. It actually seemed to be sucking her blood and even had some dark stuff inside (blood?).. I have some pictures…

    • OMGosh, Fabricio!! That’s so gross! I’m so sorry for your daughter! I’m not sure how you could share the pictures here – I don’t see any links to add photos. Maybe you could send them to me and I will edit the article to add them. The email is visitcryptoville@gmail.com. Is it OK to mention they are from you?

      Thank you for visiting CryptoVille! … Susan (CryptoVille)

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