The Cymothoa exigua, a parasitic crustacean, is a true-to-life tongue snatcher. The parasite prays on the Spotted Rose Snapper Fish found off the coast of California. Cymothoa exigua swim into the fish's gills and latch onto its tongue. Once attached, it begins to suck the fish's blood. Eventually the tongue dies from lack of blood flow and falls off. With the tongue out of the way, the parasite attaches itself to the remaining muscles at the base of the tongue.
The parasite then feeds from both the fish's blood and particles of left over food in the fish's mouth. It does little-to-no harm to the fish, and the fish has no problem using the parasite as a functioning tongue.
The 3 to 4 cm long Cymothoa exigua is the only parasite know to attack an organ and
Cymothoa exigua in place of a tongue.
functionally replace it. It has been contained to the coast of California in the past, but in 2005 it was found in a fish sold in the UK. The origins of the fish could not be traced back so it is possible the fish was imported. No other cases have been reported in the UK since.
The parasite doesnt harm humans; so you can let go of your tongue now.
