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Stone fish5/26/2023 Source: William Smith, American Museum of Natural History. Credit: Graham Roberts, The New York Times. Illustration showing Stonefish spine and venom sac. Only after I draw the outline of the fish and its eyes and mouth do they exclaim, “Yes, I finally see it!” How is the Venom Injected?Įach of the thirteen needle-sharp spines along the dorsal fin is a hollow tube that acts like a hypodermic needle with its own venom sac. Even after I tell folks they are looking at a stonefish, they have trouble seeing it. I often show audiences a photograph of a stonefish lying on the sea bottom among the rocks and coral. In my science presentations on board cruise ships I like to give people a bit of a heads up concerning some of the dangers they might face, especially in tropical waters (for example, see my article on the potentially deadly Irukandji jellyfish). Ask the locals – if stonefish live nearby they will likely have some scary stories to tell! I urge you to use extreme caution walking on exposed tidal flats any place stonefish can be found. They are also capable of sitting exposed to the air for several hours during low tide, so you could find yourself stepping on a fish that is out of the water! A very painful experience! Please remember – these creatures are so well camouflaged that they are almost invisible in their native habitat. Use extreme caution while walking on tidal flats or splashing through water at low tide. You could easily step on a stonefish at low tide because they are so well-camouflaged that you would have little likelihood of seeing one in time. What Makes Stonefish Invisible? The stonefish is a master at making itself invisible by blending in with its surroundings. There are five species of stonefish throughout the world, with an average length of 30 to 40 cm (12-16 in) and up to 2 kg (5 lbs) in weight. Now that they have been introduced to Florida and the Caribbean, they are considered the most dangerous fish in that region as well. There are roughly 800 to 1,000 stings reported every year in Australia alone, and stonefish are the likely cause of death for many people living on the shores of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. According to the National Institutes of Health in the USA “stonefish are one of the most venomous fish in the world with potential fatal local and systemic toxicity effects to humans.” Even if treated promptly, recovery from a stonefish sting “usually takes about 24 to 48 hours.” Getting stung by a stonefish can cause excruciating pain. Originally native to the Pacific and Indian Ocean, they are now found throughout Florida waters and the Caribbean. Needle-sharp spines can inject a toxic venom that can cause excruciating pain and potentially even death. The biggest danger is accidentally stepping on one since they are almost invisible at low tide. The Stonefish is the most venomous fish in the ocean and many people have died after getting stung by one. In the event of a sting, the victim should leave the water, apply first aid and seek medical attention as soon as possible.Here’s one fish that I’m glad I’ve never encountered in its natural habitat! I’ve written this article in the hope that this information can help prevent accidental and potentially life-threatening encounters with the most venomous fish in the world. An antivenene for stonefish stings has been developed. To prevent stonefish stings, sturdy footwear should be worn on reef flats, or while wading on soft-bottom substrates adjacent to rocky or weedy areas. Muscular paralysis, breathing difficulties, shock, and sometimes heart failure and death can ensue. The pain is immediate, excruciating and may last for many days. Multiple spines can often penetrate affected limbs, resulting in more extensive envenomation. Stings usually occur to the feet of swimmers or waders who have ventured away from clean sandy substrate and closer to the more complex bottom structure preferred by the stonefish. When disturbed, the fish erects its spines, but maintains its position on the sea floor. At the base of each spine there are two venom glands that discharge their contents along ducts in the spine. The stonefish has 13 sharp strong dorsal fin spines that are contained within a sheath of thick skin. The fish usually lies motionless, often partially buried in the substrate and perfectly camouflaged among surrounding coral, rocky reef, rubble, or aquatic plants. They are found throughout shallow coastal waters of the northern half of Australia. Stonefish are the most venomous of all fishes.
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