The seas and oceans are no less teeming with all kinds of poisonous creatures than the land. These are all kinds of sea snakes, jellyfish, octopuses and even fish. The most poisonous fish is the wartfish, or stone fish (Synanceia verrucosa). This is a creature that is really better not to encounter, since its poison not only kills, but also causes unbearable torment to a person. But, unfortunately, cases of it being affected by the toxin are not uncommon, since the wart is a master of camouflage. It blends perfectly with the coral, sand and rocks of the muddy seabed in the Indo-Pacific region, causing people to step on it.
Death from the toxin of this fish can occur within a few hours. Photo source: phototour.pro
The most poisonous fish — wart
The wart lives in the tropics. It is most often found in the shallow waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, from the Red Sea to the Great Barrier Reef in the Australian state of Queensland. It is often found in the waters of Indonesia, the Philippine and Marshall Islands, Fiji and Samoa. Tourists most often encounter this fish at the resorts of Hurghada, the beaches of Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab.
The main habitat of stone fish, as mentioned above, is coral reefs. In addition, she often chooses darkened algae and rocks. Sometimes it can be found buried in mud or sand. In this case, only its head appears on the surface, so it is very difficult to notice the fish, or even impossible at all. Since fish live near the shores, and sometimes end up on dry land during low tides, people, as mentioned above, often step on them.
Poisonous fish are difficult to notice, as they are well camouflaged. Photo source: www.flickr.com
The size of the wart is relatively small – the maximum body length is 40 cm, but most often does not exceed 30 centimeters. The color varies, from brown to greenish or reddish, depending on the habitat. Its characteristic feature is a large head and small eyes, as well as tubercles and ridges throughout the body. This appearance allows it to blend in with the rocks.
Since the fish is carnivorous, it feeds on small fish, shrimp and small crustaceans. Usually she waits in ambush for her prey. As soon as the prey approaches, the fish makes a dash and attacks.
The poison of the stone fish can kill a person
The venom of the stonefish is concentrated in the spines of the dorsal fin, which runs along its back. She even got into the Guinness Book of Records as the owner of the largest poisonous gland among all fish known to science.
Stone fish has poisonous spines on its back, which inject poison. Photo source: kusochekschastya.ru
The fish's fin spines resemble a hypodermic needle, allowing it to inject venom deep into the flesh. The toxin consists of a mixture of proteins, including hemolytic stonustoxin, neurotoxin (verrucotoxin) and cardioactive cardioleptin. This mixture causes severe pain, which can even cause painful shock. In this case, the neurotoxin causes paralysis, in addition, tissue death quickly begins at the puncture site.
The slave raises his poisonous “needles” at the slightest irritation. Since the thorns are very strong and sharp, they can even pierce the sole of a shoe and plunge deep into the leg of a person who steps on a wart. How dangerous is a prick from a poisonous thorn? It all depends on several factors – the depth of the puncture, the location of the puncture, the number of thorns inserted, and the time during which medical assistance was provided.
The injection becomes fatal if it is deep enough and the person is not helped quickly. It is especially dangerous when the spine of a poisonous fish enters a large blood vessel – in this case, death occurs within 2-3 hours. If the spike does not enter the vessel, and the victim receives medical assistance within the first few hours, there is every chance of survival. However, people can be sick for months. Typically, the long-term consequences are muscle atrophy and local nerve damage.
You can even step on stone fish on land near the shore. Photo source: kusochekschastya.ru
First aid for stone fish affected by poison
Since fish poison consists of proteins, it can be neutralized by high temperature. Therefore, a very hot compress is applied to the wound, and a tightening bandage or hemostatic tourniquet is also applied. After providing first aid, you must seek professional medical help.
It must be said that despite the fact that the fish is very dangerous, warts are often kept in aquariums. In addition, it is a delicacy in the national cuisines of Hong Kong and Japan. For example, the meat of this fish is often eaten raw in a sashimi dish.
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Finally, let us remind you that not only fish, but also birds are poisonous. Previously, we talked about two such feathered creatures that contain the strongest neurotoxin. Fortunately, they live only in the forests of New Guinea.