DANGEROUS SEA LIFE 



This pain has been variously described to be sharp, shooting, spas- 

 modic, or throbbing in nature. SweUing in the wound area is accom- 

 panied by an ashy appearance, which later turns red. Most wounds 

 occur on the feet or ankles, but fatal wounds have been inflicted to 

 chest and stomach areas. 



Treatment, as described under venomous fish stings, should be 

 undertaken. Even a freshwater stingray may cause an extremely 

 painful wound with generalized symptoms as; fall in blood pressure, 

 vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, rapid heart beat, and paralysis. Death 

 may occur in severe cases. 



Catfish 



Catfishes of about 1,000 species may assume many different 

 sizes and shapes. Body shape may be elongated, almost eel-like. 

 Heads may be oversize in a variety of ways. The mouth is usually 

 provided with long barbels or feelers. The skin is thick and slimy, 

 without scales, although bony outer plates may exist in some species. 



Venomous catfishes are provided with a stiff spine in the front 

 part of the dorsal and pectoral fins. Venom glands are located in 

 the outer skin or sheath of each . The venomous spine of the catfish 

 is additionally treacherous to the unwary because of a locking device 

 which maintains the spine erect when desired. Certain species have 

 recurved teeth on each spine. This makes venom absorption by the 

 victim more certain. 



Although many freshwater catfishes are used for food, the salt- 

 water species are not often eaten. A representative marine species 

 of the catfish, Galeichthys felis (Figure 18), ranges from Cape Cod to 

 the Gulf of Mexico. Another catfish, Clarias batrachus, inhabits the 

 waters of India, the Netherlands Indies, and the Philippines. Cat- 

 fishes are abundant in rivers, estuaries, and the open reef areas; 

 they are also particularly numerous in certain large sandy bays. 



The wound of a catfish spine is generally accompanied by an 

 almost instant stinging, throbbing, or scalding sensation. The pain 

 may radiate or may localize, numbing an arm or other parts. Certain 

 tropical species, such as the oriental catfish, Plotosus lineatus, is capa- 

 ble of inflicting a violently painful wound which may endure for 48 

 hours. A paleness about the wound area is followed by redness and 

 swelling. Gangrene may set in, or a secondary bacterial infection is 

 possible. Death may result from a catfish sting. 



There are no known antidotes for this and other fish stings. 

 Care should be taken in handling marine catfish, especially those 

 having sharp, rigid fin spines. 



Weeverfish 

 Weeverfish, all of the family Trachinidae , are a very venomous 



fish of the temperate zone. They are small marine fishes, less than 

 18 inches in length, and inhabit mostly sandy or muddy bays. Be- 

 cause of an aggressive temperament, combined with a well- developed 

 poison apparatus, the weever presents a continuing source of danger 

 to divers or others. Weevers habitually bury themselves with only 

 part of the head exposed. Upon little or no provocation they dart 

 out with fins erect and gill covers expanded and strike with unerring 

 accuracy at any offending target. 



The Great Weever, Trackinus draco (Figure 18), may be found 

 along western Africa, in the Mediterranean Sea, and in the vicinity 

 of the British Isles and Norway. The Lesser Weever, Trackinus 

 vipera, inhabits the North Sea, southward along the European Coast, 

 and the Mediterranean Sea. 



The aggressive armament of the weever consists of venomous 

 dorsal and opercular spines. The dorsal spines, 5 to 7 in number, 

 are needle sharp and are equipped with a venom groove and thin 

 walled sheath. The blade-like opercular spine has an attached venom 

 gland. The venom is similar to some snake venoms and acts both 

 as a neurotoxin and a hemotoxin . 



A weever wound normally produces instant pain of a burning or 

 stabbing type which gradually spreads in the affected part. Within 

 30 minutes, pain becomes severe and the victim loses consiousness. 

 Pain is usually severe to the extent that the victim may scream and 

 thrash about wildly. Other symptoms as, headache, fever, chills, 

 delirium, nausea, vomiting, sweating, loss of speech, palpitations, 

 and convulsions follow. Morphine often fails to give any relief. 

 Pain subsides in a few hours and redness and swelling then develop. 

 Secondary infections are common in cases not properly treated. 

 Recovery time extends to several months, depending upon the con- 

 dition of the patient and the amount of venom received. There are 

 no known antidotes for this and other fish stings. Immediate first 

 aid and treatment by a physician may save the patients life. 



Since weevers are ordinarily encountered while wading, care 

 must be taken to avoid contact . Adequate footwear should be worn 

 where weevers are known to exist. The fish should neither be antag- 

 onized into an attack nor handled in a careless manner, even after 



^^^^^- Scorpionfish 



The scorpionfish family contain some of the most virulent of all 

 venomous fishes. The sting of any of these fish will produce serious 

 results, and a few of the Stonefishes, Synanceja (Figure 18), may 

 be ranked with the cobra in comparing the deadliness of the poison 

 secreted. These fish are divided into 3 main groups: 



(1) Zebrafish, Pterois 



(2) Scorpionfish, Scorpaena 



Figure 18. Top-Great Weever and Spines. 

 Center— Catfish and Fin Spines. 

 Left— Deadly Stonefish and Sting. 



33 



