Only one way to find out!

[namxas]

Someone who services tanx is more likely to get nailed for a few reasons:

1) Time is money, so they tend to rush.

2) They may not "know" the habits/disposition of the fish in the tanx.

3) Are cavalier about the fish or are just plain careless.

To be honest, you actually almost have to try and get nailed, and based on my experiences with more than a few Scorpaeniformes, I'd venture to guess that 99% of the envenomations are the fault of the aquarists. We recently moved 13 tanks of venomous fish a distance of about 8 miles and there were no casualties or close calls on either side (fish or aquarist). The fish ranged in size from just over an inch to a 12"+ adult volitans.

It's also important to know the first aid for stings, as the first thing most folks do is ice the wound, which is about as wrong as it gets. If you always respect the fish and know its whereabouts, the chances are you'll never even come close to getting nailed.

I suppose the point I'm trying to make is being stung should be WAY down on the list of worries with these fish.

JM .02

 

[StephLionfish]

I'm sure not trying to answer for Wolverine. An allergic reaction and the normal pain associated with the sting are two different things. A wasp stings hurts like hell, but if you're not allergic, the pain & swelling is all you get; no matter how many times you've been stung previously. If you are allergic; that can cause all sorts or reactions, even death (in a very small group of people). Same thing with Lionfish.

Ohhh, OK, thanks.

And I agree, Greg... I've only almost been stung twice...and both times where completely my fault.

 

[Wolverine]

I'm sure not trying to answer for Wolverine. An allergic reaction and the normal pain associated with the sting are two different things. A wasp stings hurts like hell, but if you're not allergic, the pain & swelling is all you get; no matter how many times you've been stung previously. If you are allergic; that can cause all sorts or reactions, even death (in a very small group of people). Same thing with Lionfish.

Yep, that's it.

 

[DoubleM 10]

wow thats a heck of a way to find out. i own a wasp and fu man chu lion. and my hands are never in the tank. only time my hands are in the tank are when i have another set of eyes with me. (my gf) im to worried about what could happen but so intrigued by the animals not to buy them lol. this hobby does strange things to you. lol

 

[karaim]

I worry more about my hands with triggers in my tank than I ever did with my volitans in the past. An 8" clown, niger and picasso can take a good chunk out of my finger.

 

[Mental1]

I have never been stung by fish -- corals yes -- fish no. The only fish that got ever close was a rabbit who was mad because I was trying to catch him to move him to a new tank. I have caught my lions several times over the past few months and not an incident. Love my acclimate...

 

[namxas]

I worry more about my hands with triggers in my tank than I ever did with my volitans in the past. An 8" clown, niger and picasso can take a good chunk out of my finger.

Been there for sure...I've been bitten by a picasso more than once!

 

[MrTuskfish]

I was nailed by a big Volitan; my fault, I just had my hand in that tank so often that I wasn't keeping an eye on him and reached over a pile of rock where he was just minding his own business and waiting for me to finish. I think it scared me more than hurt and I've had man-o- war stings that were worse. Since then, I never worry about getting stung; I can be a slow learner, but now I know where all my lions are, always.

 

[wlyon]

On a side note never under any circumstances decided you need to do some tank maitance (clean the glass, move a rock etc..) after you feed your lions.

I currently have 5 lions a massive sailfin and a large grouper in my main display. I sometimes forget to put more sea weed on my clip for my tang before I feed my predators, which is a crazy feeding frenzy to say the least. Sticking my hand in the tank to get the clip has gotten me bitten by my grouper hundreds of times and my volitans a few times. Doesn't hurt bad but does make you scream like a little girl. I've gotten close to being stung a few times thanks to this.

 

[wlyon]

Girlfriend decided it would be a great idea to have her hand in the tank when she was feeding my fish for me while I was studying. No surprise when I get a phone call from her saying she got stung in the finger by one of the lions. You would have thought she would learn from my mistake but I guess not.