Of the many legends to emerge from the vast Amazon basin of South America, none is stranger than the story of the candiru. This sinuous little catfish is said to force its way into the urogenital openings of unsuspecting bathers, causing excrutiating pain and even death. Stephen Spotte spent four years investigating the biology of these near-mythical creatures and the reports of their attacks on humans, starting with accounts of early European explorers. His tale is an intricate, compelling mosaic of science and lore. Are the legends true? Read "Candiru" and find out.