What part of a catfish stings you?

The areas of concern in regard to being “hurt” or “stung” are the dorsal and pectoral fins. These fins are located behind the head on each side and on the top of the fish behind the head (refer to the image above).

Do catfish sting you with their whiskers?

SHARE: There are plenty of myths in the fishing world, but none more persistent than the idea that catfish whiskers can “sting.” It's simply not true--not even a little! Their whiskers may look scary, but they're harmless!

What happens when a catfish stings you?

Although these stings are often innocuous, severe tissue necrosis may occur. The hand is the most common site of catfish stings. Two cases of catfish stings of the hand are presented. In one of these cases gangrene of the long and small fingers developed requiring amputation.

Where are catfish stingers at?

They are not aggressive. People who are stung by catfish are usually fishing or swimming when they make contact, usually by stepping on it. Both saltwater and fresh-water catfish are dangerous. Each has three spines and stingers on fins on top of and on the underside of its body.

What to do if you get poked by a catfish?

How Do Catfish Sting You?

Do catfish have poisonous spines?

Catfish venom glands are found alongside sharp, bony spines on the edges of the dorsal and pectoral fins, and these spines can be locked into place when the catfish is threatened. When a spine jabs a potential predator, the membrane surrounding the venom gland cells is torn, releasing venom into the wound.

How painful is a catfish sting?

Both saltwater and freshwater catfish stings are dangerous. Each type of catfish has three spines and a stinging apparatus. Symptoms of a Catfish Sting may include severe pain and inflammation at the site of the sting. See a doctor if you have been stung by a catfish.

Can a catfish sting make you sick?

Venomous catfish stings are a common environment hazard worldwide. Although these stings are often innocuous, significant morbidity may result from stings, including severe pain, retained foreign bodies, infection, respiratory compromise, arterial hypotension, and cardiac dysrhythmias.

Are all catfish poisonous?

At least 1,250 species of catfish are venomous, a new study finds. Most catfish use their venom for defense. Some in North America can inflict a sting that humans notice. Elsewhere in the world, a few catfish species can even kill humans.

Do I have to go to the hospital for a catfish sting?

If you notice any swelling, redness, or tenderness, you should seek medical attention. If a catfish sting becomes infected, it can be treated with antibiotics. A doctor can also check to make sure that no foreign matter is trapped inside the wound.

Can freshwater catfish sting you?

There are actually many catfish species that do in fact contain venom glands at the base of their spines. However, from my experience, the “stings” from most freshwater North American catfish are uncomfortable but not unbearable.

Are catfish spines barbed?

These barbels help the catfish find crabs, fish and shrimp in the muddy bays where they live. The dorsal and pectoral fins each are supported by a sharp, slime-covered barbed spine. The dorsal spine normally is held erect when the fish is excited and a tennis shoe or even a leather-soled shoe offers little protection.

What are the whiskers on a catfish for?

Catfish have up to eight "barbels" (whisker-like appendages) located on the chin or sides of the mouth. The barbels' function is to detect food.

How do catfish cut you?

The tip of these spines is pointed and very sharp (especially on smaller catfish, and especially channel cats). These spines don't “sting” and you can touch them without any pain occurring. Pain (and injury) occurs when these spines puncture the skin.

How long does the sting of a catfish last?

3,4,14,15 Punctures caused by catfish are al- ways painful to some degree, but when the sting deposits venom, the pain is intense and can persist for up to 6 hours.

What antibiotic is used for catfish sting?

The antibiotics of choice for empiric treatment of Aeromonas are fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, due to their broad Gram-negative effects [15].

Why do catfish barbs hurt?

The spines of many catfish contain a hemolytic toxin. That means it prevents blood clotting. It's not poisonous, but it will make the injury bleed more. It also causes swelling at the injury site.

Are blue catfish poisonous?

When attacked, blue catfish defend themselves with serrated spinal barbs located on both their dorsal and pectoral fins. The spines have glands that expel harmful toxins, which can enter predators' wounds and cause sharp pain.

Where is a dorsal fin?

Fins: Help a fish move. The top fins are called dorsal fins. If there are two dorsal fins, the one nearest the head is called the first dorsal fin and the one behind it is the second dorsal fin. The belly or lower part of the fish is the ventral region.

Can a catfish bite your finger off?

There are a lot of catfish varieties and they are anatomically similar. They can hurt your skin, scratch it, even make it bleed, but they can't hurt you enough so that the injury is considered dangerous. Even if you put your hand into catfish mouth, they can't bite off anything.

What does Coke and Mentos do to fish?

It's here where the genius element of this comes in: The fisher dumps the Coke and the Mentos in the hole, which causes a massive influx of carbon dioxide, sucking the oxygen out of the water and essentially drowning the fish. They swim up the hole to find fresh water, but end up in the hands of the fisher.