Pissfish Species in Melior | World Anvil

Pissfish

A blind, tropical fish native to Rengia and a topic of many horror stories.

The pissfish is a small parasitic fish native to the tropical rivers of Rengia. It is usually not a threat to folk who work along the rivers but has become a famous campsite horror story of folks who have relieved themselves on the job by urinating in the water.   In normal circumstanes, the pissfish seeks out the gills of much larger fish where it latches itself in to feed and lay its eggs. Most of these hatch within the prey but in some cases the eggs will fall to the river bed and hatch there if they aren't eaten by other creatures.   The horror stories have done wonders for local tourism, and visitors are willing to pay a lot of coin to dare their friends to eat some pickled pissfish. Despite the unappetising name, this freshwater fish is actually delicious and many locals use it as an everyday staple in their cooking.  

Something in the Water

The pissfish have no eyes and are completely blind. They hunt their prey by scent and are drawn towards blood and ammonia, which traces of can be found in urine. When it senses it in the water it swims at an alarming speed up the stream and into the source, where it will lodge itself inside of the opening with the thorn-like barbs on its head.    
Don't go pee-pee on the river!
Size
Average size are 3-4cm in length, but some can grow as large as 15cm.   Colour
Muddy yellow, blending in with the river silt   Alternative names
Dickfish, Blind Rengian Riverfish
Origin/Ancestry
Rengian
Rengia, the ancient wildlands
Geographic Location | May 18, 2023


Cover image: by TJ Trewin

Comments

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Dec 23, 2020 23:31 by Daniel

When I saw the title of this article, I immediately stopped everything I was doing. Good job in making me wince with that description!

Dec 23, 2020 23:31 by Zeuk the Dungeon Master

These. Are. Real. And it hurts to think about.

Dec 24, 2020 10:44 by Rafael Martin

Wait wait, you mean like... a fish like this exists on earth? Do you know its name? I'd like to read about that o:

Dec 24, 2020 20:21 by Zeuk the Dungeon Master

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candiru

Dec 24, 2020 22:51 by Rafael Martin

The fact that there were even some of these cases is really scary. Thanks for the link!

Dec 24, 2020 00:36 by J. Thorne

*ded*   This should also be a beer!

Dec 24, 2020 13:39 by Avalon Arcana

Im going to think twice the next time I go camping near a river. Gosh. Well done, I have shivers running up and down my arms.

You should check out the The 5 Shudake, if you want of course.
Dec 24, 2020 20:26 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

There are scary in real life and being fictional does not make them better! :D It's times like these that being a girl helps because I am less likely to 'go pee-pee in a river.'   I love the name you've chosen. XD

Emy x   Etrea | Vazdimet
Dec 26, 2020 15:07 by E. Christopher Clark

Oh, I clenched up just reading this. Nicely done!

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Dec 30, 2020 02:46

I have graphic content disabled, but I think I can imagine the rest.

Jan 7, 2021 21:28 by Stormbril

Ha! Oh god, this is terrifying and great.

Apr 30, 2022 22:09 by Simo

OhNo!

Apr 30, 2022 22:35 by Secere Laetes

Not exactly my favourite fish, although I should have less of a problem myself. I really like the detail that it tastes good.

Apr 30, 2022 22:58 by Time Bender

Well, that's an interesting take on the prompt! XD Very gross and dangerous indeed.

May 1, 2022 16:52

You are definitely not sorry.

May 8, 2022 07:50 by Xero J

I was concerned, given the title... and OMG this is terrible, and funny... terribly funny? Anyway, thank you, I needed that crazy distraction. Lol

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