The
Trichomycteridae are a
family of
catfishes (
order Siluriformes) commonly known as the
pencil or
parasitic catfishes. This family includes the infamous
candiru fish, feared by some people for its alleged habit of entering into the
urethra of humans. Another example of this fish is the "life monsefuano", which is considered a special and ritual dish of the north Peruvian cuisine.