‘Penis fish’ fetish

Marine worms dubbed “penis fish” and the human penis have some things in common. Both look the same and like to burrow.

Like their human counterpart, the pulsating worms reach around 10 inches. They are also kept in a place with the word “under” — underwear and underground — with a penchant for exposure from time to time.

That is why thousands of penis fish appeared this week on a California beach. The creatures, more commonly known as fat innkeeper worms, covered Drakes Beach, 50 miles north of San Francisco.

However, the worms did not come out to look for a mate, rather a strong winter storm exposed them.

Adept at digging U-shaped burrows on beaches and marshes, the worms usually hang out in their tunnels to catch food.

Meanwhile, the creatures are food to others particularly otters, flounders, sharks, rays and gulls, said biologist Ivan Parr in a column on the Bay Nature website this week.

Humans also eat penis fish as sashimi, fried or grilled. South Koreans, in particular, consider the worms a culinary delicacy because of its aphrodisiac effects.