Toxicology in Fishes A Presentation By Baby July

Toxicology in Fishes A Presentation By: Baby July Cuambot: Aldrine jay G. Espinosa • Over view of Marine Toxicology in Marine Animals • The predators • Final Thoughts Becoming a Professional

Why this is Important? There a number of hazardous creatures in the sea. Many can cause serious harm to unaware or inattentive divers. Some may even cause death, although this often depends on the amount of venom used, individual reactions, nature of injury and location of accidents (deep water victims often drown). This presentation will provide some basic first aid tips, although by far the best policy is not to meddle with these creatures

Sting Ray Marine Animal Poisons Effect and Symptoms Medication Stingrays are a group of rays, which are cartilaginous fishes related to sharks. They are classified in the suborder Myliobatoidei of the order Myliobatiformes, and consist of eight families

Sting Ray Marine Animal Poisons Effect and Symptoms Medication Stingrays do not aggressively attack humans, though stings do normally occur if a ray is accidentally stepped on

Sting Ray Attack Marine Animal Poisons Effect and Symptoms Medication *Stingrays belong the class Chondrichthyes meaning cartilaginous fishes. These are usually docile creatures that only strike when provoked or feel threatened *Contact with the stinger causes local trauma (from the cut itself), pain, swelling, muscle cramps from the venom, and later may result in infection from bacteria or fungus. The injury is very painful, but seldom lifethreatening unless the stinger pierces a vital area.

Marine Animal Poisons Effect and Symptoms Medication *To avoid stepping on a stingray in shallow water, the water should be waded through with a shuffle. *Alternatively, before wading, stones can be thrown into the water to scare stingrays away * The barb usually breaks off in the wound, and surgery may be required to remove the fragments

Lion fish (Pterois volitans/miles) Marine Animal Poisons Effect and Symptoms Medication The red lionfish has greatly elongated dorsal-fin spines. The membranes of all fins are often spotted. The body is white or cream coloured to reddish-brown vertical stripes. The vertical stripes alternate from wide to very thin (with the thin stripes being more numerous) and sometimes merge along the flank to form a V-shape.

Lion fish (Pterois volitans/miles) Marine Animal Poisons Effect and Symptoms Medication The venomous tips on the lionfish fins present a danger to people who swim, dive or work in our South Florida waters. Their sting burns like fire and lasts for about 15 to 20 minutes. The lionfish sting is so serious that it can send victims to the hospital and even kill them.

Marine Animal Poisons Effect and Symptoms Medication The treatment for a lionfish sting is the gentle removal of any visible spines, and apply direct pressure to control the bleeding. Lionfish venom contains proteins that are denatured by heat thus preventing them from spreading in the bloodstream, so hot water immersion technique is often used. Heat treatment is widely recommended as an effective initial treatment for envenomations by Scorpaenidae as well as echinoderms, stingrays, and other venomous spine injuries. Immerse the affected part in hot water for about 30 minutes. If hot water is not available, aspirin, or aspirin with codeine can be taken.

Rabbit fish (Siganus corallinus) Marine Animal Poisons Effect and Symptoms Medication Rabbit fish, found in shallow lagoons, have small, hare-like mouths, large dark eyes, and a peaceful temperament. They are colorful, and have well developed, venomous dorsal and anal fin spines. Use caution when handling these fish, as the spines will inflict a painful sting.

Rabbit fish (Siganus corallinus) Marine Animal Poisons Effect and Symptoms Medication Be careful when handling the Bicolor Foxface Rabbitfish, because it is venomous and can deliver a painful sting.

Marine Animal Poisons Effect and Symptoms Medication If you are stung, soak the area in hot water (as hot as you can stand without getting burned). If you are allergic to the venom you can develop a serious reaction so immediate medical attention is strongly recommended. Do not wait for serious symptoms to develop.

Stone fish (Synanceia) Marine Animal Poisons Effect and Symptoms Medication fish from Synanceiidae family, also known as the Stonefish. It is one of the most poisonous fish on earth. The Stonefish is found in the costal regions of the Indo. Pacific oceans. They are mostly found in sea or oceans, at times can also be found in rivers.

Stone fish (Synanceia) Marine Animal Poisons Effect and Symptoms Medication The deadly neurotoxin in their glands is injected in the enemy through the needle like dorsal fin spines which erect when threatened or suspect danger. Their camouflage is very effective. At times divers have stepped on them thinking they are stones. The Toxin from this fish can cause temporary paralysis and death if left untreated.

Marine Animal Poisons Effect and Symptoms Medication The deadly neurotoxin in their glands is injected in the enemy through the needle like dorsal fin spines which erect when threatened or suspect danger. Their camouflage is very effective. At times divers have stepped on them thinking they are stones. The Toxin from this fish can cause temporary paralysis and death if left untreated.

Striped Eel Catfish(Plotosus lineatus) Marine Animal Poisons Effect and Symptoms Medication The Striped eel catfish has a dark brown body with lighter colour on the underside. The juveniles have very striking white stripes along their bodies. These strikes are less pronounced or even gone completely in adult specimens. For a better grasp of how Striped eel catfish look you can look at the pictures on this page. The pictures portray young specimens.

Striped Eel Catfish(Plotosus lineatus) Marine Animal Poisons Effect and Symptoms Medication As a defense, these spines may be locked into place so that they stick outwards, which can inflict severe wounds. In several species catfish can use these fin rays to deliver a stinging protein if the fish is irritated. This venom is produced by glandular cells in the epidermal tissue covering the spines. this protein is so strong it may hospitalize humans, those unfortunate enough to receive a sting; in Plotosus lineatus, the stings may result in death.

Marine Animal Poisons Effect and Symptoms Medication this protein is so strong it may hospitalize humans, those unfortunate enough to receive a sting; in Plotosus lineatus, the stings may result in death.

Wasp fish(Ablabys taenionotus) Marine Animal Poisons Effect and Symptoms Medication This fish can be up to 6 in in length. The body compressed laterally, endowed with a dorsal fin starting from the top of the head until joining practically the superior base of the caudal fin. When the dorsal fin is spread, it looks like a crest resembling the on a cockatoo. The thorns of the dorsal fin are venomous. This fish mostly stays on the substrate and moves by means of its pectoral fins. Its color varies from cream to dark brown, with irregular spots.

Wasp fish(Ablabys taenionotus) Marine Animal Poisons Effect and Symptoms Medication Penetration of the skin by these spines causes a wound that requires medical attention because of the risk of infection and to update tetanus immunisation. The usual immediate symptom is severe pain. In some cases it can be severe enough to cause shock.

Marine Animal Poisons Effect and Symptoms Medication The best treatment for the severe pain is heat. The heat breaks down and inactivates the venom. Immerse the affected area in water that is hot enough to be effective but not hot enough to scald. It is best for someone other than the victim to test the water temperature. If no one else is present, the victim should test the temperature with a non-injured limb. Keep the affected area immersed in hot water until the pain is relieved or has subsided. The hot water may need to be topped up to maintain the pain relief. If no relief is obtained after 30 -90 minutes, seek medical attention for alternative pain relief. Do not apply pressure/compression bandaging; this will increase the pain. Seek medical assessment immediately for cleaning of the wound, tetanus immunisation, pain relief, if required, and therapy to prevent infection.

What do I learned? This kind of animals are not normally aggressive to humans but should be treated with respect. Do not treat as like as they are thinking like us, because first of all they are all fishes and lastly avoid swimming after dark.

Thank you for Listening!^^