I Got Attacked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tballa

New member
yup, thats right, my mantis got me. I had my hand inside my 6g eclipse mantis tank cleaning up stray macros, when my 1.5" smasher decided he didn't want me there. I grabbed the macro, with my knuckle facing his hole, when he came out and bashed my finger. It didn't hurt that much, just felt like being flicked really hard. I did break the skin and bleed. I was more surprised than anything, because I put my hands in their all the time. I think the reason why is becuase he hasn't been given a stoma snail for a few days, so he was hungry. I immediatley washed it off with soap, to get rid of germs. I thought it was kind of cool, but was glad that he wasn't a 6"+ peacock.
 
My friend got attacked recently I don't know what kind it was but it got him through three bags I don't think it hurt him that much but it did make him scream
 
I've always wondered what it was like to get hit.... i almost talked myself into provoking an attack once.... i decided it wasnt the best idea.
 
yah, I think everyone is curious about what it feels like. Thats just the nature of a reefer to be fascinated with dangerous creatures, and wonder how they can hurt you. I know more than one of you have played with an anemone trying to see what its sting feels like. Luckily for me, i didn't get messed up, or lose a finger, like some have. I think this thread should continue as a place to tell and read about all kinds of reef "attacks." So if you have experinced something or have heard a good story, feel free to share it, becuase I would love to hear them!
 
One of the guys at my LFS got stung (accidentally) by a Red Volitan Lionfish. He's ok, but his hand was in serious pain for several days! LFS Owner had to take him to the hospital though and the store was closed for the rest of the day! Not a good day!
 
Yah, I'ver headr Lionfish can be pretty brutal. Do you have any idea how big the one that got him was? Also did he have any lasting effects?
 
The one that got him was pretty small. I'd say only 2 - 3 inches. Only lasting effect is desire to NEVER mess in a tank w/ a lionfish again!
 
I got zapped by a mantis when I was kid in hawaii........got me on the left ring finger, on the side of the last knuckle. Bled alot, hurt alot, went to the bone......moral of the story is to ALWAYS watch where you put your hands when on the reef. I got swept by a wave when snorkeling and used my hand to steady myself/ keep from bashing into rocks........
I'm a hard learner as I've been bitten by two eels, (one unidentified moray that was a fish eater, and a snowflake that I caught w/ a net and was attempting to put in the bucket.) and I've been zapped by a long spine urchin......
Mother nature doesnt screw around....
Nick
 
i got nailed buy my V. lion...my arm got warm and then went somewhat numb...after about 30 minutes it just ached...the ache lasted for the rest of the day...it ached like it just got hit with a little electrical shock
 
Cool, well not really for you victims of Lions, but thats sweet. I've heard that it can get pretty bad especially if you are allergic. How big was yours?
 
I've been stung by several large volitans and a few P. russellii as well. The latter didnt hurt at all, but those volitans pack a punch. One time I got pricked real bad and i have a small scar to show for it. My whole finger turned black and I couldnt move my arm. My temperature rose pretty quickly and I got pretty light headed. In retrospect, I should have gone to the hospital, but I didn't. It hurt for several days afterward, and it was painful to move my arm for the following 2-3 days.

Other than goign to the hospital, the best treatment for a lionfish sting is to put the wounded area in warm water with a good amount of ammonia. I don't exactly know the mechanics of why it works, but it brings a little relief to an horrible experience.
 
I was curious as well. however I decided to poke at my Mantis with a pen instead of my finger. I tried to judge how hard he was hitting based on how much force I felt through the pen. At first I wasn't impressed, until I started flicking the pen with my own fingers, and had much lower results!
 
Ok enough of this stuff...here' is a tip for those of you who have been stung by a lionfish: wash your wound in borderline boiling water, if will negate the toxin and will avoid such injuries as "black finger" and "my hand hurt for a day". And on to the mantis...seriously guys what kind of dip...would intentionally get hit by a stomatopod? This sort of attitude just testifys to the point that many salt water keepers are far too bored with their aquariums and need to re-examine why they keep aggresive species tanks, for the love of god they are interesting predetors but dont stick your finger in their face...guess your lucky you didnt intitially get interested in polor bears.
Brian
 
Actually the heat denatures the proteins in most marine venoms. The ammonia is used to denature several others, (urchin stings and jellyfish stings for example). Basically things in your body work on chemical messengers and receptors. The chemical messengers are basically proteins. If the chemical messengers cant mate up w/ the receptor site, they dont affect the body. The heat "warps/melts/disfigures" (read denatures) the chemical messenger, therefore no more pain, no more poison. Make sense?
The hotter the water, the more it will denature.

BTW I agree w/ Crafty 50 Mitchell.....but keep in mind that it is a self correcting issue/ When they get zapped hard enough, they'll quit pokin the bear, (mantis), w/a stick.
Nick
 
Back
Top