Skip to comments.
Tongue-Eating Bug Found In Fish
BBC ^
| 9/15/05
| BBC/UK
Posted on 09/15/2005 9:05:23 AM PDT by Dallas59
A gross creature which gobbles up a fish's tongue and then replaces it with its own body has been found in Britain for the first time.
The bug - which has the scientific name cymothoa exigua - was discovered inside the mouth of a red snapper bought from a London fishmonger.
The 3.5cm creature had grabbed onto the fish's tongue and slowly ate away at it until only a stub was left.
It then latched onto the stub and became the fish's "replacement tongue".
Creepy-crawlies Check your bug know-how in our insect quiz Enter
Excited
Scientists are very excited by the find.
Dr Jim Brock of the Horniman Museum in south London told Metro newspaper: "I have not seen this species in all my 13 years at the museum so it's a remarkable find."
What the bug looks like What the bug looks like
The bugs are usually found off the coast of California, so it's possible the fish was imported to the UK.
Freaked out
But don't be too freaked out - scientists say the creature does not pose any threat to humans and only attaches itself to fish tongues.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
TOPICS: Food; Pets/Animals; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: eeewwwwww; fish; tongue
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-32 last
To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick
I thought a tounge was for eating?
21
posted on
09/15/2005 10:07:49 AM PDT
by
JimWforBush
(Alcohol - For the best times you'll never remember)
To: JimWforBush
22
posted on
09/15/2005 10:15:07 AM PDT
by
Jersey Republican Biker Chick
(People too weak to follow their own dreams, will always find a way to discourage yours.)
To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick
I can't with my mouth full.
23
posted on
09/15/2005 10:25:35 AM PDT
by
JimWforBush
(Alcohol - For the best times you'll never remember)
To: JimWforBush
24
posted on
09/15/2005 10:26:18 AM PDT
by
Jersey Republican Biker Chick
(People too weak to follow their own dreams, will always find a way to discourage yours.)
To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick
25
posted on
09/15/2005 10:28:28 AM PDT
by
JimWforBush
(Alcohol - For the best times you'll never remember)
To: JimWforBush
You always were spicy, my Faria.
26
posted on
09/15/2005 10:29:40 AM PDT
by
Jersey Republican Biker Chick
(People too weak to follow their own dreams, will always find a way to discourage yours.)
To: Dallas59
27
posted on
09/15/2005 10:35:26 AM PDT
by
SWAMPSNIPER
(LET ME DIE ON MY FEET IN MY SWAMP, ALEX KOZINSKI FOR SCOTUS)
To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick
Well you keep me on my toes, Lisandra.
28
posted on
09/15/2005 10:37:48 AM PDT
by
JimWforBush
(Alcohol - For the best times you'll never remember)
To: JimWforBush
29
posted on
09/15/2005 10:38:28 AM PDT
by
Jersey Republican Biker Chick
(People too weak to follow their own dreams, will always find a way to discourage yours.)
To: Dallas59
30
posted on
09/15/2005 10:39:36 AM PDT
by
proudofthesouth
(Boycotting movies since 1988)
To: ValerieUSA; blam
Funny, they never said anything about it...
31
posted on
09/16/2005 8:08:09 AM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(Down with Dhimmicrats! I last updated by FR profile on Sunday, August 14, 2005.)
To: SunkenCiv
"Funny, they never said anything about it..." Amazing.
32
posted on
09/16/2005 5:41:11 PM PDT
by
blam
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-32 last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson
