The Fish Finder
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There are many things that live in the water that carry venom. They are often overlooked because they are not aggressive towards people. There are two ways that aquatic life releases their venom one is through sting (Fish) and the other is through injection (Jellyfish, aquatic invertebrates, octopus, cone shell, starfish, sea snakes, sea Urchins, sponges, and sea worms). Here is a basic over view of them.
Cone Shell - There are over 400 species of cone shell that can inject venom, but only a few are known to be life threatening. There known to cause no pain to excruciating pain. When stung can cause Paralysis including respiratory failure.
Sea Snakes - There are 87 species of sea snakes and there are five major groups. They can be found in all tropical waters except the Atlantic. Their poison is so powerful it’s 20 times more powerful then one bite from a cobra. They also inject less if any compared to a full injection of a cobra. They carry neurotoxic venom and with out the anti-venom will mean certain death.
Stonefish - The stonefish is the most venomous fish known in the world. They grow up to 12 inches long and have such great camouflage that they look like a stone under water. Stonefish venom is a mixture of proteins, containing several enzymes, including hyaluronidase of high specific activity. Also known as crude venom. Stonefish stings are considered deadly.
Scorpion fish - With 330 species of scorpion fish these are considered the venom group of the saltwater fish trade. Many of the fish in this group look like stonefish. As well as the famous fish that we all know the Lionfish comes from this group. There venom is a neurotoxin.
Blue-Rings Octopus - Gets it name from the blue rings it displays when it’s moods change. They are a very small octopus that grows to the size of 20cm. They are one of the top 3 deadliest living things on the face of the Earth. Their bite is said to be painless. They carry neuromuscular paralyzing venom. The venom contains some maculotoxin.
Crown of Thorns - This starfish can grow up to 60 cm in diameter and have 13 to 16 sharp spines. The venom they carry is called venom B
Sea Urchins - Only very few fatal cases have ever been reported but the one that have been reported usually from respiratory problems. But in most cases they just bring a mild to severe pain for a few hours to infections that could last for a very long time.
Portuguese Man Of War - Unlike what people think the man of war isn’t a jellyfish it’s actually a mixture of organisms with stinging cells. There have been a few reported fatalities but most of the time the victims survive after suffering from excruciating pain. The venom induces calcium influx into cells by permeabilizing plasma membranes
Boxfish or Deadly Sea Wasp - This is considered the most venomous marine creature. All deaths have come from northern Australia between November and April with 70 deaths. If the sting doesn’t kill the person the person will be in excruciating pain and significant scars.
Sponges - Many sponges can produce irritations and pain for long periods of time. That’s why it’s never recommended never to touch one even dead one’s that wash up on shore.
Glaucus - Also called Lizard Nudibranch is usually blue on its dorsal surface and white on its ventral surface. Just like the sponge it is recommended that you never attempt to touch one of these. It will cause irritations on the skin and pain for long periods of time.
Sea Anemones - Some of them can produce the same effects as the sponges and glaucus.
Sea worms - There are a lot of different tropical sea worms found on reefs and rock structures. These can produce painful and itchy rashes that last for hours.
Stinging Seaweed - It is actually an animal that looks like a fern. They come in many different colors usually between brown and green. If come in contact with one it can be either a mild sting to extreme pain. And can last to up to a week.
Fire Coral - It is found on coral reefs. It has small invisible tentacles and if stung bad enough can cause nausea and vomiting.
Stingrays (FRESH AND SALT) - There are many different species of stingrays and some of them can be fatal. The pain delivered is excruciating and can last for months along with a lot of swelling. Most people get stung because they stepped on them by accident.
Surgeonfish - There are many species and all id by the scalpel like spine protruding from the body to tail. They believe that these fish might be venomous due to injuries that happen when handling the fish. They can also cause ciguatera poisoning if eaten.
Cone Shell - There are over 400 species of cone shell that can inject venom, but only a few are known to be life threatening. There known to cause no pain to excruciating pain. When stung can cause Paralysis including respiratory failure.
Sea Snakes - There are 87 species of sea snakes and there are five major groups. They can be found in all tropical waters except the Atlantic. Their poison is so powerful it’s 20 times more powerful then one bite from a cobra. They also inject less if any compared to a full injection of a cobra. They carry neurotoxic venom and with out the anti-venom will mean certain death.
Stonefish - The stonefish is the most venomous fish known in the world. They grow up to 12 inches long and have such great camouflage that they look like a stone under water. Stonefish venom is a mixture of proteins, containing several enzymes, including hyaluronidase of high specific activity. Also known as crude venom. Stonefish stings are considered deadly.
Scorpion fish - With 330 species of scorpion fish these are considered the venom group of the saltwater fish trade. Many of the fish in this group look like stonefish. As well as the famous fish that we all know the Lionfish comes from this group. There venom is a neurotoxin.
Blue-Rings Octopus - Gets it name from the blue rings it displays when it’s moods change. They are a very small octopus that grows to the size of 20cm. They are one of the top 3 deadliest living things on the face of the Earth. Their bite is said to be painless. They carry neuromuscular paralyzing venom. The venom contains some maculotoxin.
Crown of Thorns - This starfish can grow up to 60 cm in diameter and have 13 to 16 sharp spines. The venom they carry is called venom B
Sea Urchins - Only very few fatal cases have ever been reported but the one that have been reported usually from respiratory problems. But in most cases they just bring a mild to severe pain for a few hours to infections that could last for a very long time.
Portuguese Man Of War - Unlike what people think the man of war isn’t a jellyfish it’s actually a mixture of organisms with stinging cells. There have been a few reported fatalities but most of the time the victims survive after suffering from excruciating pain. The venom induces calcium influx into cells by permeabilizing plasma membranes
Boxfish or Deadly Sea Wasp - This is considered the most venomous marine creature. All deaths have come from northern Australia between November and April with 70 deaths. If the sting doesn’t kill the person the person will be in excruciating pain and significant scars.
Sponges - Many sponges can produce irritations and pain for long periods of time. That’s why it’s never recommended never to touch one even dead one’s that wash up on shore.
Glaucus - Also called Lizard Nudibranch is usually blue on its dorsal surface and white on its ventral surface. Just like the sponge it is recommended that you never attempt to touch one of these. It will cause irritations on the skin and pain for long periods of time.
Sea Anemones - Some of them can produce the same effects as the sponges and glaucus.
Sea worms - There are a lot of different tropical sea worms found on reefs and rock structures. These can produce painful and itchy rashes that last for hours.
Stinging Seaweed - It is actually an animal that looks like a fern. They come in many different colors usually between brown and green. If come in contact with one it can be either a mild sting to extreme pain. And can last to up to a week.
Fire Coral - It is found on coral reefs. It has small invisible tentacles and if stung bad enough can cause nausea and vomiting.
Stingrays (FRESH AND SALT) - There are many different species of stingrays and some of them can be fatal. The pain delivered is excruciating and can last for months along with a lot of swelling. Most people get stung because they stepped on them by accident.
Surgeonfish - There are many species and all id by the scalpel like spine protruding from the body to tail. They believe that these fish might be venomous due to injuries that happen when handling the fish. They can also cause ciguatera poisoning if eaten.
