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Description
The Stone
Fish is a a mottled brown-greenish in colour (which makes them
camouflaged) with many venomous spines along its back. The Stone
Fish is only dangerous if stepped on or caught. 13 dorsal spines
project from venomous glands along the back . The venom is
involuntarily expelled when pressure is applied to them. It takes
a few weeks before the gland regenerate again.
Habitat
The stonefish lives
primarily above the tropic of Capricorn. Its main habitat is on coral
reefs, near and about rocks, or can be found dormant in the mud or
sand.
It feeds on small
fish and shrimps.
Venom
The
sting causes excruciating pain and a great deal of swelling
rapidly develops causing death to tissues. The severity of the
symptoms depends on the depth of penetration and the number of
spines penetrated. The symptoms of the venom are muscle weakness,
temporary paralysis and shock, which may result in death if not
treated.
Do not
attempt to restrict the movement of the injected toxin.
Bathing or immersing the stung
area in hot water may be effective in reducing the pain. transport
the patient
to the nearest medical centre.
Hospitalisation for intravenous narcotic analgesia, local
anaesthetic infiltration or regional block may be required.
Definitive management consists of
administration of stonefish antivenom. Indications for antivenom
include severe pain, systemic symptoms or signs of
(weakness, paralysis) and injection of a large amount of venom.
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