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Poison stone fish7/14/2023 ![]() ![]() ![]() The spines are venomous and can inflict intense pain. They average about 30 centimetres long (though some measure hardly 10 cm) and have small rabbit-like mouths, large dark eyes, generally bright colours or a complex pattern, and very sharp spines in their fins. They are active during the day, some species being solitary, others living in schools. Rabbitfish are found predominantly on the reefs and shallow lagoons in the Pacific and Indian oceans, as well as in the eastern Mediterranean. Rabbitfish, or Spinefoot, Chimaera, Siganus fish (family Siganidae, order Perciformes) A common treatment consists of soaking the stung area in hot water. Medical treatment is still advised, though, as it is difficult to tell how badly a person will react to the venom. ![]() Spines are used for defence only when the threatened fish faces its attacker in an upside down posture to expose them.įor humans, stings are extremely painful and can cause headaches, vomiting and breathing difficulties however, they are normally not deadly. Like in the stonefish, the dorsal spines are highly venomous and divers and fishers should avoid any contact with these fish.įortunately, lionfish are not aggressive towards humans and prefer to keep their distance, when they are given a choice. Lionfish are coloured differently (red, green, red, navy green, brown, orange, yellow, black, maroon or white) but with a distinctive striped appearance with extremely long and separated spines. This introduction could be the result of the destruction of an aquarium in southern Florida, by Hurricane Andrew. Recently, lionfish have even been spotted in the warmer coral regions of the eastern Atlantic Ocean around the Azores and extending into the Mediterranean Sea, as well as in the Caribbean Sea. Most lionfish inhabit the tropical Indo-Pacific region of the world, though some species can be found worldwide. They inflict an intensely painful sting and include many of the world's most venomous species such as the Lionfish, or Turkey fish, Dragon fish, Scorpion fish, Fire fish, Firefish, Butterfly cod (family Scorpaenidae).Ī Lionfish is any of several species of venomous marine fish in the genera Pterois, Parapterois, Brachypterois or Dendrochirus. The hundreds of species can measure anything between 30 and 90 cm (1-3 feet), are usually reddish in colouration and have long wavy fins and spines. Scorpion fish are mostly marine fish that live mainly in the reefs in the Pacific and Indian oceans. Scorpion fish or Zebrafish (family Scorpaenidae) Wounds should be washed thoroughly with seawater and the spines removed carefully. Prevention involves shuffling feet when wading. Stingrays pose a risk mainly to people wading, who often get injured on the leg, as well as to careless fishers and divers who sometimes get lashed by a startled stingray as they swim above it. The spines are capable of penetrating wet-suits and shoe leather and have been known to cause serious injury, and even to kill people unlucky enough to have been stabbed in the chest (like the famous herpetologist, Steve Irwin). Stingrays defend themselves by lashing out with whip-like tails equipped with one or two spines.īecause the spines are barbed they can cause serious gashes besides, they are venomous in about two-thirds of species. ![]() The different species have a distinctive ray shape but their colouration often makes them hard to spot unless they are swimming. Stingrays inhabit shallow water, especially in the tropics but can be found in temperate regions as well. That being said, below is a list of potentially deadly fish that you really should be aware of if you intend putting your foot anywhere near the sea - and not just the tropics!Ĭlearly the clue is in the name. They are either venomous, and in the majority of cases sting when stepped on or manipulated, or they are are potentially dangerous when eaten - such as the infamous fugu. However, they can still be dangerous, even deadly, but for an altogether different reason. Sharks apart, the majority of fish species that can be a danger to humans are neither particularly aggressive or see humans as a potential meal. ![]()
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