1 yr. ago • 90%

Hi there!

Cymothoa exigua, or the tongue-eating louse, is a parasitic isopod that severs the blood vessels in a fish's tongue, causing the tongue to fall off. It then attaches itself to the remaining stub of tongue and the parasite itself effectively serves as the fish's new "tongue"

30 comments

That’s nightmare fuel

67
- The real nightmare fuel is the Laundry Files villain inspired by these things.
  
  4
Those things are so bizarre. They latch onto the fish's mouth, severs the vein to its tongue so the tongue falls off, and the parasite becomes the new tongue. Apparently the fish functions just fine with its parasitic tongue.

33
- I mean, if the fish didn't survive, the parasite wouldn't get easy meals for life, haha.
  
  20
- Nature is very metal.
  
  14
nope

Does Lemmy have a don’t put your dick in that community yet?

31
This is honestly shit for both of them, sure getting your tongue eaten probably isn't great but could you imagine if your whole life was just pretending to be a tongue living inside a fish's mouth??

22
- But what could the fish possibly do if it found out? Die?
  
  6
I think you're lost. This belong in c/terrifyingasfuck

17
Thanks, I didn't really need to sleep tonight.

17
This is a pretty extreme example of acting like you belong somewhere and hoping no one will notice

17
That's enough internet for today

13
But can the fish feel it wriggle around?

7
- All the ones I’ve asked have had nothing to say about it.
  
  6
This is a ridiculously convoluted survival plan.

7
- I’d expect something like this from Charlie on IASIP
  
  2
Welfare Queen Louise riding around in its new fish, getting free food and stuff.

5
Can you imagine if this happened with humans? Wonder no more! https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_bay_2012

5
- No thank you
  
  8
In any fish or just one type of fish?

5
Pretty sure I caught a fish with one of these once, was absolutely disgusted to find it as I was removing the hook.

5
- Was it moving?
  
  3
  
  No it appeared dead
  
  1
Nature never ceases to amaze. Terrifying at times but amazing none the less.

5
Get the flamer brother! The heavy flamer!

4
Lol the parasite is waving at the camera.

4
- I never thought a parasite could look this cute
  
  2
  
  It looks weirdly cuter than the fish itself
  
  1
I'm weird, but I think they're actually kind of cute.

3
Y'all ever watch "The Bay"?

2

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