# Rare contagious cancer found in wild catfish

Scientists have discovered a rare form of contagious cancer in wild catfish, a phenomenon more commonly observed in species like Tasmanian devils. The disease can spread between individual fish through direct contact, raising concerns about population health and transmission dynamics in aquatic ecosystems. This finding highlights the need for further research into cancer evolution and cross-species transmission.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### Science
- [Nature](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-02236-7) — 2026-07-22
- [Nature](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-02287-w) — 2026-07-28

### Technology
- [Wired](https://www.wired.com/story/contagious-cancer-found-in-north-american-catfish/) — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000