19 July 2023 , 20:52
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The infamous 'penis fish' has made a splash with locals in Argentina who arrived at a beach near Rio Grande to discover thousands of the creatures washed ashore.
The 10-inch, fleshy-coloured creatures earned their nickname for their blatant resemblance to the human appendage. They usually cover the sea floor, but severe storms in the area uprooted the creatures and brought them ashore near beaches of Multillar, north of Rio Grande.
The creature is actually a spoon worm. Scientists know them as Urechis Unicinctus. Despite being much larger than the average human part it's named for, they really do look like their nickname, featuring a large shaft and a large head complete with a hole at the top - which they use to eat algae off the sea floor.
Infamous 'penis fish' have washed ashore in Argentina, giving beachgoers 'the willies' (Jam Press)Residents who discovered the beach shore littered with the meaty marine life are sharing pictures and videos that are going viral across social media. Though it is rare to see them, it's not the first time storms have brought these normally hidden 'penis fish' into contact with humans.
In 2019, San Fransisco got flashed by 'penis fish' who washed ashore after a particularly bad batch of storms. Ivan Parr, a biologist from the Western Section of the Wildlife Society, first spotted the sea creatures and claimed that other locals didn’t believe that they were really worms.
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“I’ve heard my share of imaginative theories from beachcombers, such as flotsam of a wrecked bratwurst freighter,” he stated at the time.
Thousands of the sea worms have washed up, giving locals a big laugh (Jam Press)Of course, the viral photos and videos have prompted a load of jokes from internet users.
“Where do you put the batteries?” joked one user, comparing the worm to a sex toy.
“Wow some marine animals are going to have fun with that,” another joked.
While it isn't common, some countries do sell them for food, including markets in South Korea, China and Japan. Foodies say the seaworm has a chewy texture and a surprising sweetness. The 'penis fish' pairs well with a nice vinegar or gochujang-based sauce.
Evolution has done little to interrupt the creature, as it has stayed exactly the same for the last 300 million years. Each one of these guys has a lifespan of around 25 years.
But as funny as the sight is, biologist Parr says that the repeated sight of these creatures is a direct effect of changing weather patterns and human activity.
“We’re seeing the risk of building your home out of sand,” he says. “Strong storms — especially during El Niño years — are perfectly capable of laying siege to the intertidal zone, breaking apart the sediments, and leaving their contents stranded on shore.”