Lionfish

[Lyle]

I recenty got a lionfish fish, bout 5 inches long, healthy, beautiful edition to my tank. not that it really matters because i'm not planning on getting stung, but how poisonous are they exactly? i've read anywhere from similar to a wasp sting, to putting you in the hospital.


PS....... thanks to everyone thats givin me advice on how to do the whole saltwater thing. everything is running smooth and falling together very nicely so far!

 

[Lynden]

Cool... what kind of Lionfish is it?

They are about the same intensity as a bee sting, but severe (life-threatening) reactions can occur in those who have an allergy.

-Lynden

 

[Lyle]

thanks!

I'm pretty sure he's a Russell's lionfish. His name is Rufio (like that kid from the movie "Hook")

 

[steelhealr]

They are NOT poisonous.

They are VENOMOUS.

People have died from their stings.

SH

 

[Mr.September15]

Just keep in mind that there venemous enough to kill you, I wouldn't want one in my tank at all

 

[Lyle]

I think its pretty sweet I gotta fish that i have to be weary of! i've always wanted a really exotic pet, a venomous fish is right up my alley! I'm tryin to get pics of him up soon, hes too pretty to not be in pictures

 

[rhysiboy]

wait so correct me if im wrong poisons fish have to be ingested for them to affect you and venemouse fish can sting you to get hurt. Would love to have one i just know id ed up buying like kevlar protected gloves as im a bit paranoid of being killed by something in my fishtank

 

[k.o.d]

Have been stung by my lionfish

Bloody hurt, the correct method of dealing with a lionfish/stingray/other protein based poisonous fish is to

1. Don't panic
2. Immerse the sting site into water as hot as you can stand ( the hotter the better as it breaks the protein down ) but down trade sting for scald
3. Keep the site in the water for as long as possible
4. Clean and disinfect the wound site as secondary infection can take place ( lionfish stings are hypodermic and the site was fairly clean )

I actually got stung by my own stupidity, I did tank maintenance without looking where he was, I immediately did the hot water bit and then stood with my hand in the sink for 1/2 hour, I got bored and the fridge was nearby

My wife Kate walked in to see my hand in a steaming sink and my other hand nursing a can of Budweiser, with several empty cans next to me

So heat and Budweiser are my drugs of choice

Steve

 

[sianeds]

Nice......

I will be getting a lionfish in the near future and I will be careful....although I'm assuming a dwarf fuzzy won't be too much of a threat

I will be sure to stock up on beer before I buy it just to be sure though

 

[steelhealr]

Not all people react equally. Some more sensitive people can have anaphylactic shock. Use caution. SH

 

[Lynden]

Thought I had that covered, but I guess I didn't.

 

[k.o.d]

Not all people react equally. Some more sensitive people can have anaphylactic shock. Use caution. SH

The beer bit was true but tongue in cheek.
If you have a reaction to the poison you are in serious trouble, only problem is most people will not know they are until it happens.

Best method of control is avoidance.

 

[andywg]

2. Immerse the sting site into water as hot as you can stand ( the hotter the better as it breaks the protein down ) but down trade sting for scald

Just to reinforce here:

Be careful on the heat of the water. 40-43 degrees C is enough to de-nature the protein of the venom. Most serious injuries resulting from lionfish stings are not the venom, but people sticking their hands in far too hot water and scolding themselves.

Try and make sure that those near you know exactly the species of fish you are keeping, so that in case something goes wrong those giving you treatment know as much as possible.

 

[Navarre]

Sorry if i seem a little negative here but I think the right way to have gone about this was to have asked on the forums about their toxins and done the research before buying it and then asking.
Research is the most important thing that a marine hobbiest must do and doing the research after the creature is sitting in the tank is the wrong way to go about it

Ok well i saw a person get stung in a lfs by a lion.. he was trying to catch a different fish for a customer and took his eyes of the tank to talk with them... big mistake. He fell off his stool and before he cold be taken out the back his hand was double the size and going purplpe. now i dont know if it was an extremly bad reaction or not but it was enough to make me respect this fish far more than most give it credit.

 

[Lynden]

Remember what the guy in my signature taught us... all they need is respect.