Tongue-Eating Parasites attack fish near Normandy

[Spire]

http://io9.com/5357663/tongue%20eating-parasites-attack-fish-near-normandy

Weaver fish off the Jersey coast have fallen prey to a horrific parasite: an isopod that devours the fish's tongue and then replaces it with itself. Fortunately, it doesn't eat human tongues, though it will bite.

First thing that comes to mind is Leopaldon.

 

[Chronodiver Lokii]

D: Thats Horrible!! Poor Fishes!

 

[BirthNote]

D: Thats Horrible!! Poor Fishes!

It really is. Is there a way to stop those without harming an ecosystem? Or do they plan to just let the parasite do what it does?

 

[GoldShadow]

That's pretty disgusting. According to this BBC article, though:

"Apparently there's not too much ill effect to the fish itself except it's lost its tongue."
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/jersey/8246001.stm)

Still nasty though.

 

[XACE-K]

Wierd, yet interesting. But the pic creeps me out.

 

[zrky]

*gasp*
poor fishy
I wonder what it would feel like to have your tongue eaten like that.

 

[Negi-Kun]

Tonguecrab: to come in Half Life 2 Episode 3

 

[_KuyaSombreo_]

Huh wonder what it tastes like, or can you.......

 

[Fuelbi]

I really wouldnt care if they existed. I dont care if any animals existed. Reason is because if one animal dies itll upset the natural order of things. Snake dies, rats reproduce by the millions and the eagles become extinct. Well Im sure other things eat rats like cats and the eagle could find a new diet but its just an example describing why killing an animal would be catastrophic

 

[BirthNote]

I really wouldnt care if they existed. I dont care if any animals existed. Reason is because if one animal dies itll upset the natural order of things. Snake dies, rats reproduce by the millions and the eagles become extinct. Well Im sure other things eat rats like cats and the eagle could find a new diet but its just an example describing why killing an animal would be catastrophic

So does that comment have something to do w/ what I posted?

 

[Fuelbi]

I said that I really dont care if it exists or not...... well not yeah caus bad things would happen

 

[Omnicron's Baklava Enterprises]

Well the picture scared me.

But considering it doesn't do anything to humans then I'm fine with it.

 

[Mota]

That's disgusting *grimace*

Thank goodness it doesn't effect humans.

 

[BBQTV]

that parasite is huge

 

[AlexoftheAura]

Once the parasite dies the fish is unable to swallow food properly and starves to death.

 

[teeman92]

omg thats a terrible when to die. poor fishy

 

[Pikaville]

My only question is,how and when in the evolutionary process did the parasite find the best way to survive was to replace a fishes tongue with itself?

What a weirdly specific thing!

 

[Spire]

My only question is,how and when in the evolutionary process did the parasite find the best way to survive was to replace a fishes tongue with itself?

What a weirdly specific thing!

I think it can just as easily be compared to a Hermit Crab inhabiting a mussel's shell, or bears inhabiting caves.

They see it as a source of nutrition and refuge and make their way into it. The fish is probably not a living being to the parasite, rather a safe way to travel through the sea and get free food.

 

[Pikaville]

I think it can just as easily be compared to a Hermit Crab inhabiting a mussel's shell, or bears inhabiting caves.

They see it as a source of nutrition and refuge and make their way into it. The fish is probably not a living being to the parasite, rather a safe way to travel through the sea and get free food.

I suppose it's like that parasite that lives in Snails.

It drives them crazy and makes them stay in the open so they get eaten by birds,they then live out their days in the bird.

 

[DtJ Jungle]

omg omg omg omg ewwww im going to have nightmares.

 

[Overload]

This is. . . disturbing.

 

[cutter]

Once the parasite dies the fish is unable to swallow food properly and starves to death.

So how does the fish actually survive when the parasite is living?

Most parasites are designed to weaken the host instead of killing it.

 

[Tacel]

What a jerk! Once you open the fishes mouth it tries to act cute. It's like, "Oh hai. Iz it okay if iz stay here fo awhiwal?".

Poor fishes...

We need Samus.

 

[Kantō]

its a good thing they dont eat human tongues ewww.

also the fish just cant eat it? fish eat weird stuff like that right?

 

[AlcyoNite]

That other fish shoulda worn a condom...

 

[Pi]

....I like how all the people are saying how great it is that it doesn't affect humans...
As if you wouldn't notice and then promptly do something about it before it devours and replaces your tongue with itself...

 

[Frank West]

Gotta admit, that's one crafty creature. Hard to believe more harm isn't done to the fish.

 

[Fuelbi]

I wonder where the hell did that parisite have the idea to find nutrients in a fish's mouth............

 

[GoldShadow]

that parasite is huge

It's not that big. If you look at the picture, you'll see the fish itself is very small, use the finger/hand for reference.

 

[metaknave]

Wow, that is really creepy. Wait, how does the fish eat if the parasite is the tongue? Wouldn't the parasite be getting most of the food, thereby leaving the fish to die? Imagine trying to eat with that in your mouth...

 

[Jim Morrison]

I'm a horrible person for finding this pretty amusing. If it functions as a tongue and the fish can still eat, it's sad, but he still lives. Lol, dat parasite.

 

[BBQTV]

It's not that big. If you look at the picture, you'll see the fish itself is very small, use the finger/hand for reference.

after i posted i remembered arnt tapeworms bigger? in any case it looks like it fake cause it has a smile sort of but its real so it confuses me.

 

[Tacel]

I have a feeling that humans started this...

 

[_umbra_]

awwww I think it's kinda cute ^_^

 

[Fuelbi]

Now that its been said it DOES have a smile. Photoshopped maybe?

 

[Tacel]

Meh thinks those are pinchahs.

 

[Mr.Freeman]

Thats disgusting. but then again not as bad as having a fish up your doodle.

 

[BBQTV]

did you know theirs a giant version of this isopod called [and your not gonna believe this] its called giant isopod

 

[phanna]

phanna with the epic linkage:

http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/496606

 

[Kantō]

hahah newgrounds is awesome i forgot that website existed