Ghaiben

Ghaiben are fearful parasitic fish found in lukewarm waters, and the cold, fresh water of the Oldeep. They are infamous for just how difficult they are to remove from a host.

Upon attaching to a host, the Ghaiben will attempt to sucker on using weak facial suckers while it prepares the permanent attachments. (This is possibly the only time the victim has to react and remove the Ghaiben, and it barely lasts a second). The Ghaiben then shoots four to seven harpoon-like tendrils into the host's flesh, which wind their way tightly around the victim's nearest bone.

From this point onward, the Ghaiben is (for all intents and purposes) permanently attached to the host. Due to the difficulty of removal, most people afflicted with a Ghaiben stay with it their entire life.

Failed Removal Methods

 * The tendrils of the Ghaiben cannot be cut, and attempting to do so will just result in the Ghaiben strengthening it's grip, causing excruciating pain to the host. Even if the tendrils were cut and the creature was removed, the tendrils would remain inside the host, proving a health hazard.
 * Ghaiben cannot be hurt by fire or being completely frozen, both of which have been tried, resulting in the host suffering more damage than the parasite.
 * Completely cutting off the fleshy portion of the Ghaiben does not result in it's death, only incapacitation. The Ghaiben can regrow completely from it's tough-shelled head. Some Ghaiben afflicted individuals may choose to place a leather or metal patch over the severed Ghaiben head to prevent it regrowing.