how venemous is a foxface lo?
- Thread starter njp14333
- Start date
Travis L. Stevens
New member
Think of it like a strong bee sting. Be warned, if you are allergic to bees, you could have the same allergic reaction. A generalized envenomation is usually non-fatal and rarely severe. If you are envenomated, immidiately run your hand under the hottest water you can stand for as long as you can stand. This will help break down the proteins and help reduce the pain and the severity of the envenomation.
Here is an excerpt of an online article found here - http://ozreef.org/library/articles/hazards_of_owning_a_reef.html
Abstract
Rabbitfish
Rabbitfish (genus Siganus) fins contain multiple spiny processes, all associated with venom glands. To be exact, there are 13 dorsal, 4 pelvic, and 7 anal spines. The spines have two deep grooves that contain venom glands along the distal third of the spine. The spine is covered with an epidermal layer that is ruptured by trauma, releasing the venom in much the same way as with stingrays. The pain is sudden and severe lasting for hours to several days and producing considerable distress. Like surgeonfish, the wound swells, becomes numb and pain radiates to the regional lymph nodes. The immediate area can become cyanotic with a surrounding red area.
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis, an allergic reaction to the animal's venom, is a medical emergency. Anaphylaxis is a systemic immune response to a compound. It is independent of the compound's innate toxicity. Because it is dependent upon the immune system, an anaphylactic response requires prior exposure to the compound. Following this initial exposure, there will be no physically evident symptoms. One could consider this exposure as "priming" the immune system. Later contact, either the next time or several times down the road, will produce a systemic, life-threatening response in susceptible individuals within seconds to minutes of re-exposure. Again, this response is variable from person to person, and generally independent of the level of exposure. This reaction is characterized by vascular collapse and shock, with or without respiratory distress. Possible symptoms include:
Upper airway swelling -- hoarseness and a "lump in the throat" feeling.
Lower airway obstruction -- chest tightness.
Wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Cutaneus involvement -- intensely itchy, red, raised hives with pale centers and wandering borders, that can be local or spread over the entire body.
Gastrointestinal symptoms -- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramping stomach pains.
Vascular collapse -- blood pressure drop, rapid heart rate, and shock.
Anaphylaxis requires prompt medical treatment with epinephrine and other support measures. Anyone who has experienced a severe allergic reaction should avoid exposure to the precipitating compound. If this compound is a toxin produced by a reef inhabitant, the animal should be removed from the aquarium. At a minimum, epinephrine should be readily available for immediate use in case the individual is exposed to the compound again. Because anaphylaxis is immune regulated, each response will likely be more severe than any previous exposure.
Here is an excerpt of an online article found here - http://ozreef.org/library/articles/hazards_of_owning_a_reef.html
Abstract
Rabbitfish
Rabbitfish (genus Siganus) fins contain multiple spiny processes, all associated with venom glands. To be exact, there are 13 dorsal, 4 pelvic, and 7 anal spines. The spines have two deep grooves that contain venom glands along the distal third of the spine. The spine is covered with an epidermal layer that is ruptured by trauma, releasing the venom in much the same way as with stingrays. The pain is sudden and severe lasting for hours to several days and producing considerable distress. Like surgeonfish, the wound swells, becomes numb and pain radiates to the regional lymph nodes. The immediate area can become cyanotic with a surrounding red area.
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis, an allergic reaction to the animal's venom, is a medical emergency. Anaphylaxis is a systemic immune response to a compound. It is independent of the compound's innate toxicity. Because it is dependent upon the immune system, an anaphylactic response requires prior exposure to the compound. Following this initial exposure, there will be no physically evident symptoms. One could consider this exposure as "priming" the immune system. Later contact, either the next time or several times down the road, will produce a systemic, life-threatening response in susceptible individuals within seconds to minutes of re-exposure. Again, this response is variable from person to person, and generally independent of the level of exposure. This reaction is characterized by vascular collapse and shock, with or without respiratory distress. Possible symptoms include:
Upper airway swelling -- hoarseness and a "lump in the throat" feeling.
Lower airway obstruction -- chest tightness.
Wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Cutaneus involvement -- intensely itchy, red, raised hives with pale centers and wandering borders, that can be local or spread over the entire body.
Gastrointestinal symptoms -- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramping stomach pains.
Vascular collapse -- blood pressure drop, rapid heart rate, and shock.
Anaphylaxis requires prompt medical treatment with epinephrine and other support measures. Anyone who has experienced a severe allergic reaction should avoid exposure to the precipitating compound. If this compound is a toxin produced by a reef inhabitant, the animal should be removed from the aquarium. At a minimum, epinephrine should be readily available for immediate use in case the individual is exposed to the compound again. Because anaphylaxis is immune regulated, each response will likely be more severe than any previous exposure.
They're a shy fish and the main danger is their habit of hiding against the rocks. Stick your hand in to move rock---you're nailed, by pure accident. He flares his spines if terrified, but he will not attack, that I have ever observed. I've had them, worked in the tank barehanded, no problem. Know where he is before you start; f you start to work with him at the other end of the tank, I can just about bet he won't voluntarily come near you. They're very shy fish and just want to avoid any commotion.
Mine will right after food and eat it from my hand. I sometimes get scared that he's gonna sting me, but haven't had a problem in 1-1/2 years. It's kinda cute, when he sees me opening up the food he waggles back and forth like a clown fish and starts opening his mouth and closing it real quick.
saltwatersmac
New member
I only worry when mine darts at the food. Haven't been hit yet but it would be purely accidental if it happened.
dallascwbyz
New member
I have a virgate rabbit in my reef tank, and no problems. Mine is very curious about my hand in the tank but never "exposes" his dorsal aggresively. The only thing he has done to me was just recently when I was going to feed him I opened up the top of the tank and apparently I didn't put the nori in fast enough. I know this because I bent down to pick something up and I started getting wet. Thought it was my tank. Nope, My rabbit was "spitting" at me from the open tank, just like an archer fish. Wouldn't have believed it if hadn't happened to me.
Paul B
Premium Member
I recently gave one away here on RC and in the process of catching it it jumped over my hand just brushing my thumb. I didn't think anything about it until a few seconds later it was very painful. I guess like a bad bee sting. I don't think you would die from it and it's not the worse pain I have ever felt but it was very uncomfortable. I would imagine that if you get stuck deeper than I did it would be much worse. Either way, it would not keep me from getting one.
Paul
This was the guy
Paul
This was the guy
