![]() ![]() Sea snakes inject venom into the stonefish via their bite. It’s thought that sea snakes may be immune to the venom, but no one knows for sure. These are another highly venomous fish native to the Indo-pacific. Stonefish belong to the order Scorpaeniformes, which also contains lionfish. There are however lots of stings yearly, which require immediate medical attention. ![]() There have been no recorded deaths from stonefish stings in Australia, and few in other countries. There are a lot of stings, but very few mortalities. They will sit still watching for prey and then attack and consume the prey with lighting speed, all as little 0.015 seconds.Ħ. They are masters of camouflage.Īs the name suggests, they are great at looking like a stone, with skin covered in patches of brown, yellow, orange, or red, along with a textured surface. Their venom is only used for self-defence and they never actively hunt their prey or humans. Their hunting tactics focus on sitting completely still on the ocean floor, waiting for prey to pass. Their venom is used for self-defence, not hunting. At the base of each spine is a venom sac which are activated under pressure, aka when someone steps on them.ģ. They have 13 spines along their backs which are what delivers the toxin. There is an anti-venom, but if it’s not delivered quickly the effects can be fatal. It causes intense pain, breathing problems, damage to the heart, fits and paralysis. The venom is lethal both to other marine animals and humans. They are the most venomous fish in the world. They are hunted by sea snakes, stingrays, eels, and sharks, all of which are able to eat the stonefish while avoiding its venomous affects. This allows them to wait for their prey (small fish and crustaceans) to pass, when they strike at high speed and eat them whole. They are excellent at camouflage, with their skin matching rocky or coral ocean floors. They are from coastal regions of the Indo-Pacific, for example Northern Australia, India, the Philippines, and others. Estuarine stonefish ( Synanceia horrida).Very fast when hunting, can catch and consume prey in as fast as 0.0015 seconds. Their name comes from their ability to blend in with rocky seafloors and amongst coral, which is what makes them so dangerous as they are easily stepped on by people.Ĭoastal areas, rocky reefs, rubble, and aquatic plants. They are famous for being the most venomous fish in the world, with a sting that causes excruciating pain in humans. Infection is also possible if other germs get in under the skin.Stonefish are a family of fish called Synanceiidae. If the sting causes severe pain, though, you might need a stronger pain medication. Some people don’t need a doctor for a lionfish sting. Do this after applying the initial heat therapy. Use ice or a cold pack to reduce swelling.Then be sure to wrap a bandage around the wound to reduce the risk of infection. This can include ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). A lionfish sting can be extremely painful, so take an over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce pain. Keep the temperature of the water below 120☏ (48.9☌). Just make sure the water or heat pack isn’t too hot! You don’t want to add a burn on top of your injury. If you’re snorkeling, swimming, or fishing in an area where lionfish live, prepare for the possibility of an accidental sting: Bring hot water in a thermos or put a reusable heat pack in your marine first aid kit. Use as much heat as you can tolerate without burning yourself. ![]() Apply heat to help the venom break down.This will help your blood clot and stop any bleeding. Using a clean towel or cloth, apply direct pressure to the wound. ![]() If you have a first aid kit, you can also clean the wound with antiseptic towelettes. Clean the area with soap and fresh water.Sometimes, pieces of their spine remain in the skin after a sting. Here are a few tips to treat the sting, prevent infection, and reduce pain. If you’re stung by a lionfish, take care of the wound as soon as possible. What to do if you get stung by a lionfish?Ī lionfish sting can be very painful. ![]()
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