Which catfish are poisonous

However, because none of the species he examined produces more than three distinct toxins in its venom, each species probably displays only a subset of the whole repertoire of effects. The main dangers to humans who tangle with North American catfish come not from the initial sting and inflammation, but from secondary bacterial and fungal infections that can be introduced through the puncture wound or when pieces of the spine and other tissue break off in the wound, Wright said.

In addition, the toxic proteins show strong similarities with, and might be derived from, previously characterized toxins found in catfish skin secretions. Probably not very likely, given the known effects of these venoms on humans, but perhaps worth investigating, Wright said. History Magazine These 3,year-old giants watched over the cemeteries of Sardinia.

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Beware, though. A recent study published in the Journal of Heredity by American Museum of Natural History biologists William Smith and Ward Wheeler shows there are more species of venomous fish than venomous snakes.

In fact, there are more venomous fish than all other venomous vertebrates combined. The stings from some of these fish can be strong enough to debilitate or even kill a human. The new study replaces the old estimate of species with a conservative estimate of more than 1, species of venomous fish.

DNA sequencing helped the scientists determine how known venomous species are related to other fish that might also be venomous. Some of those other fish were then examined to determine if they had venom delivery systems. They did. Snakes, scorpions, stinging insects and spiders — not fish — usually come to mind when a person thinks about venomous animals.

But more than 50, injuries are attributed to venomous fish each year. Not surprisingly, statistics indicate that most dangerous encounters occur between anglers and the fish they catch. The vast majority of venomous fish are members of the catfish family. Among these are many saltwater species, all of which should be dealt with cautiously.

These include the gafftopsail catfish mentioned in my opening story and the sea, or hardhead, catfish, both of which are frequently caught by anglers in portions of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

The sturdy spines on the back and side fins of these species can easily pierce the bottom of a shoe. Just a prick from one fin can cause searing pain, but most stings heal without complications. Occasionally, however, victims experience more severe symptoms such as allergic reactions, heart palpitations and loss of consciousness.

Secondary infections caused by bits of skin and spine in the wound can be even more dangerous than the stings themselves. Freshwater catfish also can sting with their sharp fins. But those most often caught by U.

Big Cats — Getting finned by big fish is rarely an issue. Scoop them up with a dip net and use lip grips to handle them during landing, photographs, and the live release please practice catch and release of larger catfish.

Be careful sticking your hand in the mouth of a big catfish, their mouths are much more dangerous than their fins! Want More Catfishing Tips To get more catfishing tips, check out the Ultimate List Of Catfishing Tips for all the catfishing tips and tricks you could ever want and more.

Hold to hold a catfish without getting hurt or "stung" and the myth that catfish will "sting you". Everything you need to know to handle catfish safely. Chad Ferguson. Rated 4. Rated 5. Site Search.