HELP I was stabbed by my fish
- Thread starter cgr
- Start date
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thomas712
Guest
In an effort to help I borrowed this from another site hope it helps.
From Bob Fenner
General Treatment for All Cuts, Stings and Venom Events:
Cleaning
The first order of business. Is there any foreign material in the wound? Can/should you remove it? Many types of wounds are best flushed with clean warm water initially. This flushes away debris, and makes the area easier to inspect. With invertebrates (e.g. sea urchins) the careful use of forceps might be called for. Take care to not cause even more damage. Many stings and barbs are brittle and crush easily. When and where there is much pain, swelling or residual material, get medical attention.
What did your mom advise? "Wash up good with hot soap and water". Good advice. This simple procedure effectively cleans most superficial wounds sufficiently.
Disinfect:
The wound and surrounding area should be de-contaminated, freed from chance of outside organisms or poisons. For aquarium cuts and bio-punctures the above recommended use of hot water and soap will do; but you may want to employ more thorough cleansing with peroxide, an alcohol or iodine solution or other commercial preparation.
Maintenance:
Two words keep the wound dry and clean, and a short sentence, "keep your eye on it". Does it hurt, is the wound emarginated? This is good to some degree; an indication your body recognizes that something is going on and is reacting to it.
Treatment:
Depending on the direct cause(s) of the wound ongoing therapy might include anti-inflammatories, some form of pain-killer, antibiotics and more.
Overview:
Infection occurs when bacteria enters the body through an open wound or abrasion. Over a period of time a sore or swelling may develop. Given time, most of these will remedy themselves without treatment. Cleaning, disinfecting and keeping the wound dry and covered will speed up the healing process.
Should you have doubts, persistent pain or swelling for any length of time, I suggest you seek medical help
HTH
Thomas
From Bob Fenner
General Treatment for All Cuts, Stings and Venom Events:
Cleaning
The first order of business. Is there any foreign material in the wound? Can/should you remove it? Many types of wounds are best flushed with clean warm water initially. This flushes away debris, and makes the area easier to inspect. With invertebrates (e.g. sea urchins) the careful use of forceps might be called for. Take care to not cause even more damage. Many stings and barbs are brittle and crush easily. When and where there is much pain, swelling or residual material, get medical attention.
What did your mom advise? "Wash up good with hot soap and water". Good advice. This simple procedure effectively cleans most superficial wounds sufficiently.
Disinfect:
The wound and surrounding area should be de-contaminated, freed from chance of outside organisms or poisons. For aquarium cuts and bio-punctures the above recommended use of hot water and soap will do; but you may want to employ more thorough cleansing with peroxide, an alcohol or iodine solution or other commercial preparation.
Maintenance:
Two words keep the wound dry and clean, and a short sentence, "keep your eye on it". Does it hurt, is the wound emarginated? This is good to some degree; an indication your body recognizes that something is going on and is reacting to it.
Treatment:
Depending on the direct cause(s) of the wound ongoing therapy might include anti-inflammatories, some form of pain-killer, antibiotics and more.
Overview:
Infection occurs when bacteria enters the body through an open wound or abrasion. Over a period of time a sore or swelling may develop. Given time, most of these will remedy themselves without treatment. Cleaning, disinfecting and keeping the wound dry and covered will speed up the healing process.
Should you have doubts, persistent pain or swelling for any length of time, I suggest you seek medical help
HTH
Thomas
cgr
Member
I guess I was mistaken also. When I said " I got stabbed by my blue tang" I was referring to my hippo. I 've always called it a blue tang.
By the way the pain has subsided a lot but it lasted a good three hours. I had my hand in ice water and could not take it out because of the pain. It has now been five hours. Mi finger is swollen to double its normal size and part of my hand is numb.
Now I know the hippo's defense to being eaten by a bigger fish. I sure would not like to have that spine stuck in my mouth.
By the way it still is one of my favorite fish!! I used to call him Big Blue but I've changed its name to Killer Blue.
By the way the pain has subsided a lot but it lasted a good three hours. I had my hand in ice water and could not take it out because of the pain. It has now been five hours. Mi finger is swollen to double its normal size and part of my hand is numb.
Now I know the hippo's defense to being eaten by a bigger fish. I sure would not like to have that spine stuck in my mouth.
By the way it still is one of my favorite fish!! I used to call him Big Blue but I've changed its name to Killer Blue.
nas19320
Active Member
After doing some research I found that the spines on both sides tail, are extended from the body when the fish becomes excited. The quick, thrashing sideways motion of the tail can produce deep wounds that result in swelling and discoloration, posing a high risk of infection. The pain can last for hours, until eventually subsiding into a dull ache. It is believed that some species of Acathurus have venom glands while others do not. The spines are used only as a method of protection against aggressors.
demosthenes
Active Member
Yeah, I sort of agree with Krunk, however, there is an Atlantic Blue Tang, which is sometimes shortened to plain old, "Blue Tang. Odd thing about this fish is that it's dominantly yellowish-green when it's a juvenile.
Anyway, IMO they are NOT a very pretty fish, in fact they were quite ugly when I saw them. The Powder Blue is a beautiful species however, and most likely that is what you have seen or are researching?
Also, most of the surgeons do not have any venomous glands near the caudal peduncle, nor anywhere else in the body for that matter, with the exception of a few species of Acanthurus which do, of course.
Anyway, IMO they are NOT a very pretty fish, in fact they were quite ugly when I saw them. The Powder Blue is a beautiful species however, and most likely that is what you have seen or are researching?
Also, most of the surgeons do not have any venomous glands near the caudal peduncle, nor anywhere else in the body for that matter, with the exception of a few species of Acanthurus which do, of course.
killafins
Active Member
Originally posted by Demosthenes
Also, most of the surgeons do not have any venomous glands near the caudal peduncle, nor anywhere else in the body for that matter, with the exception of a few species of Acanthurus which do, of course.
As for poison, nothing to worry about. There may be an infectoin from the water or a piece may still be in your finger. Try the opposite and use warm running water along your finger. It won't help the pain but should help to get something htat shouldn't be in there.
krazykarel
Member
Listen if the swelling continues...you need to go get some medical attention!
Man im glad I got rid of mine...it killed my NEMO!!!! Hahaha...no really I had the two fish from the movie in my tank BEFORE i even saw the previews!
Man im glad I got rid of mine...it killed my NEMO!!!! Hahaha...no really I had the two fish from the movie in my tank BEFORE i even saw the previews!
