The candiru fish (Vandellia cirrhosa), a small parasitic catfish native to the Amazon River, has a reproduction process similar to other freshwater fish, though details about its reproduction are not as extensively studied due to its elusive nature and unique parasitic behavior.
Candiru fish reproduce through external fertilisation, meaning the female lays eggs in the water, often in sandy or muddy riverbeds, and the male fertilises them by releasing sperm over the eggs. The spawning season generally coincides with the rainy season in the Amazon, as this provides optimal conditions for survival. After fertilisation, the eggs hatch into larvae, which eventually develop into adult fish.
Despite their infamous reputation, primarily due to exaggerated myths about their parasitic tendencies, candiru fish reproduction aligns with the general patterns of many riverine fish species.