January 27, 2006

Measuring less than 8mm, the world's smallest fish calls Sumatran swamps home. Scientists have discovered the world's smallest vertebrate, Paedocypris progenetica in acidic swamps (with a pH around 3) on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

Tinier than the Indo Pacific goby, this fish has unusual grasping fins. Although their habitat is threatened by logging, urbanisation and agriculture, it is hoped that these tiny creatures will survive and that scientists can learn a little more about them.

posted by dj 18 years ago
  • Acid-dwelling Paedocypris Doesn't know what all the hype is Swimming in his mini-scule Across Sumatra's swampy pool
  • Gotta watch out, one of those things once swam right up my uncle's dinger.
  • ))) for The Underpants Monster!!!
  • a thousand of this tiny fish will scarce suffice to make one dish
  • wow. i love that we can still find new creatures.
  • This is the fish that tries to get in your bladder. { ... n acidic swamps (with a pH around 3) ) It can live in there and wants to lay eggs there.
  • No, this is not the fish that swims up your urethra, the candiru, which should be abundantly obvious from the article which states that this fish is a new species and therefore not the known urethra-attacking one.
  • just looked up candiru here. shudder.
  • Ewwwww, bladder fish!
  • From roryk's article: "It then swims up the anus and lodges itself somewhere in the urinary tract with its spines." Just a minute - is this a weewee fish or a fundamental fish?
  • In a related development, scientists have also developed the world's smallest filet.
  • That article has more than a few points that seem .. somewhat less than accurate ... and not very clear on anatomy. However, the central part, that the Candiru lodges in the urethra, is perfectly true. In fact it will even jump out of the fucking water into your willy, under the right circumstances. I've never heard of anyone having their privates completely amputated as a result of a Candiru as stated. I suppose it could have occurred, but removal of the fish seems like straightforward surgery, if traumatic and painful, and could conceivably be done with surgical tools found in any general practitioner's office. Certainly a gynaecologist or proctologist's.
  • Swab. *slap* Scalpel. *slap* Fish forceps. *slap*
  • Maybe more a fish slice. Ram it up yer and twist it.
  • YOW
  • Urk.
  • *squirms, crosses legs*
  • ...is this a weewee fish or a fundamental fish? Indeed, it is a wee, wee fundamental fish of an amazingly tiny size.
  • My what a beautiful pelvic fin you have, Paedocypris progenetica.
  • Its claim to fame is being small, this fish us hardly there at all. It leads its life in acid waters of a boy and soon eill be extinct, since that's being logged.
  • boy=bog Ach! Why don't I catch these things when I preview? Is there a gl;itch in my brain, doctor?
  • I just thought you were talking about the candiru, berswacly.
  • **begins a slow relaxing scalp massage on Bees' brain pan** **Bees falls asleep** Shush...we'll see if that helps when he wakes up.
  • for soon read already well, with some clarification