MARINEBIOLOGY
The caudal fin of a reef stonefish resembles a fragment of shell Pretty in pink : the textured , globular face of a reef stonefish include nausea , vomiting and diarrhoea , accompanied by respiratory problems that can lead to fainting .
What can you do about it ? Get out of the water immediately and seek medical help . Don ’ t wrap bandages around the wound ; don ’ t try to cut out the spines or cauterise the wound . Instead , call for an ambulance and immerse the affected area in hot water to break up the venom . How hot ? As hot as you can take it .
In reality , very few divers get spined by stonefish : it ’ s more common in places like Australia where there are significant numbers of people wading around in shallow estuarine areas .
It ’ s widely agreed that the scorpionfish packs less of a punch , but the effects of a sting are severe nevertheless and will require a visit to the emergency room . Victims report sharp pain that lasts for hours , along with swelling at the injury site that persists for days . In addition to prompting increases and drops in blood pressure , the venom can also cause the human body to release some of its
own compounds , including acetylcholine , a neurotransmitter that acts on the junctions between nerves and muscles . In other words , the venom can force us to generate our own pain .
Loving the unlovable
I recall a boat briefing once , where the guide went into horrific detail about all the dangerous creatures in the sea . He looked up to see the looks on abject terror on his guests ’ faces and recanted a little : “ I mean , don ’ t worry , this stuff won ’ t swim at you !”
And it ’ s true , pretty much every fish can mess you up in some creative way , but it nearly always involves the diver breaking the rules . Every organism has a defence , whether it be speed , internal toxin , venom delivery , size , speed , bluff or sheer aggression ( see triggerfish ).
But all of this can be negated by the simple act of diving carefully and avoiding any physical contact with the reef or its denizens . As with last month ’ s feature about cleaning stations , a coral reef presents a natural test for diving skills , in particular buoyancy and ease of movement . Never forget that the reef itself is replete with defence mechanisms – corals , sponges and hydroids can cut , sting and infect .
As for our camouflaged ambush predators , I believe they have inherited a new role – keeping divers off the reef . After all , there ’ s nothing to underline the old ‘ hands-off ’ rule than the likely presence of an invisible venomous bodyguard !
Still , what a triumph it is when we look down to see a patch of sponge or rubble shifting , as the form of a scorpion or stone magically materialises . If you ’ re moving in for a photograph , move lightly , for where there is one such fish , there ’ s often another nearby . Most of all , let ’ s admire these wonderful creatures for their powers of adaptation and their unearthly beauty . �
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