10/26/2025
Yes, there are fish that eat scales and the Amazon’s scale-eating characin (a relative of the parrotfish) is one of them. With sharp teeth and incredible speed, this strange fish darts at other fish, rips off their scales, and retreats! Scales contain protein and calcium, making them a weird but efficient meal.
While many fish rely on plankton or smaller prey, this predator steals from others like a river pickpocket. It's an evolutionary niche few creatures dare to explore. Though it's not aggressive toward humans, its feeding style is bizarre and fascinating. Even in the most remote rivers, nature finds new ways to surprise us.