Page 241 - NS-2 Textbook

236 NAUTICAL SCIENCES

Penetration of the skin produces an immediate burn- Norway. The lesser V\reever inhabits the North Sea,
ing sensation. Redness, swelling, and generalized aching southward along the European coast, and the Mediter-
are likely to follow, and deaths from muscular paralysis ranean.
have been reported. The scorpiolljish /alllily comprises the most poisonous
Vertebrate nlarine animals that have venomous bites of all fishes. There are three main groups: (1) zebrafish,
and stings include a number of fishes and sea snakes. Sea (2) scorpionfish, and (3) stonefish. The sting of any of
snakes were discnssed earlier in this chapter. The fishes these fish will produce serious results. The deadliness of
fall into a number of species: (1) the stingrays, (2) catfish, some of the stonefishes may be ranked with that of the
(3) weeverfish, and (4) scorpionfish. cobra.
Stingrays are a much-feared flat fish found in warm TI,e zebra/ish, also called liOlljish, is a beautiful shallow-
coastal waters. They may grow to weigh several hundred water fish of tropical and temperate seas. They live
pounds. They are a serious menace to waders. They lie around coral reefs, spreading their fanlike, lacy fins like
on the bottom, largely concealed by sand and mud. Step- peacocks. They are usually fOlUld in pairs. Beneath the
ping on one will result in the ray driving a venomous beauty are hidden as many as eighteen long, straight,
barbed tail into the foot or leg with great force. TI,e needle-sharp fin spines. Each spine is equipped with
spines may be driven completely through a foot or well lethal venom. These fish are a real menace to anyone ex-
into the leg bone of the victinl. TI,e stingray WOlmd ploring tropical coral areas.
causes immediate shooting pain. The wound area will The scorpioll/ish inhabits shallow water bays and reefs
swell and become gray and, later, red. Severe stings by in the Pacific Ocean. These fishes conceal iliemselves in
large specimens can be deadly. crevices an10ng debris, under rocks, or in seaweed. They
TI,ere are about a thousand species of cat/ish in the have nearly perfect protective coloration that makes them
world. Smne of the salt-"water catfish are venomous. almost invisible. When alerted or removed fron1 the "water,
Their venom glands are located in the sheath of the dor- they erect poisonous spines like zebra-fish do.
sal and pectoral spines. Some species have curved barbs StOlle/ish of the Pacific Ocean are found in tide pools
on the ends of the spines, which make venom absorption and shoal areas. They are hard to see because they usu-
more certain. Some freshwater catfishes are delicious to ally lie motionless and partly buried in the mud or sand.
eat, but salt-water catfishes are not often eaten. They usu- They are not afraid of any intrusion in their area, making
ally inhabit rivers, open reef areas, eshmries, and large them a danger to anyone with bare feet. The fish is a
sandy bays. They are common all along the eastern mud-brown color and warty like a toad. It has thirteen
seaboard, the Gulf of Mexico, India, the Philippines, and dorsal, three bottom, and hol'o pelvic spines, all short and
Indonesia. heavy with enlarged venom glands.
A wound from a catfish spine results in instant sting- Symptoms produced by all of the scorpionfish fam-
ing and throbbing. The pain may radiate or remain local, ily may vary in degree, but the pain is inunediate, sharp,
numbing an arm or leg. Asian catfish can inflict a violently and radiates quickly. Pain may cause a victinl to thrash
painful wound that may fester for forty-eight hours and about in a wild malU1er, scream, or lose consciousness.
then result in gangrene and death. There are no known an- The inmlediate wound area may be pale, surrounded by
tidotes for catfish and other poisonous fish stings. a zone of redness, swelling, and heat. Paralysis of an en-
Weeve/fish are very venomous aninlals of the temper- tire arm or leg may result. Death is the usual result of an
ate zone. They are aggressive, small marine fishes less encounter. A sting should be treated like a snake bite. In
than 18 inches long. They inhabit sandy or muddy bays. some cases the victim may recover after lllonths of treat-
They bury themselves in the mud with only their heads ment, but with impaired general health.
exposed. With little provocation, they will dart out with Persons swimming ·where scorpionfish live must be
poisonous fins erect and sh'ike with unerring accuracy, alert to the danger and absolutely avoid touching them.
driving their spines into the victim. Since the species are generally fearless, one should not
There is instant stabbing pain after being struck. aggravate them as they will attack. A direct encounter
Within thirty minutes, the pain becomes so severe that with any of the scorpionfish is an invitation to disaster.
the victinl may scream and thrash about wildly, then lose
consciousness and die. TI,e venom attacks both the ner- UNDERWATER RESEARCH
vous and blood systems. Inunediate first aid and treat-
ment by a doctor may save the patient's life. Recovery In order to see firsthand what goes on in the sea,
tinle takes several months, depending on the condition oceanographers for years have been seeking ways to ob-
of the patient and the amOlmt of venom received. There serve the depths. The lack of ail; tremendous undenvater
is no antivenom. pressure, utter darkness, and the cold have all combined
The great weever is found along 'N€stern Africa, in to prevent researchers from descending into the deep
the Mediterranean Sea, and arolmd the British Isles and ocean and remaining there for an extended time. Only in