Kelvin
K P Lim and Jeffrey K Y Low
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Kelvin
K P Lim and Jeffrey K Y Low
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| DANGEROUS
FISHES There are four main groups. Learn to recognise these potentially dangerous fish and treat them with extreme caution. See 'A Guide to the Dangerous Marine Animals of Singapore' in the Science Centre series. Stinging fishes are equipped with sharp spines linked to venom glands usually located at the base of the spines. A sting by any one of the fishes below requires immediate medical treatment.
Marine catfishes of the families Ariidae and Plotosidae also come with venomous spines on their dorsal and pectoral fins. Accidents can happen when the careless angler tries to remove them from the hook. For safety reasons, some anglers have even gone to the cruel extent of snapping off the spines with pliers before removing the hook from these catfishes. Rabbitfishes (family Siganidae) and scats (family Scatophagidae) also have venomous dorsal fin spines. Be careful when handling them  Stingrays
(family Dasyatidae) are often found on sandy-muddy seabeds. Due to their
habit of burying themselves in the substrate, their presence may not be
easily detected. Many stingrays have two long venomous spines near the base
of their tail. They have the ability to flick the tail upwards and thrust
the spines forward into the offending foot when stepped on. Biting fishes cause injury when they use their teeth on us for defence, or when they regard us as food. A few species of sharks make up the latter category, but these are apparently rare in local waters. The more common pufferfishes (family Tetraodontidae) and porcupinefishes (family Diodontidae) are equipped with sharp, plate-like teeth which resemble a parrot's beak. Large individuals are capable of severing one's finger with a bite. Other fishes which have rows of sharp teeth and may bite out of provocation include the barracudas (family Sphyraenidae) and the moray eels (family Muraenidae). Should these be caught on a hook, extreme care should be taken when removing the hook from the fish. The fang-blennies (genera Melacanthus and Petroscirtes) have a pair of long, curved canine teeth on their lower jaws which seem to be used for defence. When handled, they may bite, and the canine teeth of the Striped Fang-blenny (Meiacanthus grammistes) are associated with venom glands.  The
needlefishes (family Belonidae) do not bite and are
generally inoffensive, but people have been killed by them. Needlefishes
live near the surface and are apt to jump when disturbed or when chasing
prey. With their slender and sharp beaks, any person, especially fishermen,
in the path of their leaps risks getting speared.Poisonous fishes form the third group. While many fishes can be eaten, there are some which contain toxins that can cause serious illness or even death when ingested. Pufferfishes feature highly in this category mainly because they are common and large enough to be of gastronomic interest. Pufferfish are known for producing a lethal poison called tetrodotoxin especially in their liver and ovaries. The severity of this poison varies from species to species. Electric fishes are capable of generating electricity for navigation or for detecting and immobilising prey. Certainly this comes in useful for deterring unwanted attention as well. In Singapore, electric rays (e.g., Temera hardwickii) are sometimes encountered. One can get a very rude, but non-fatal shock when touching a live electric ray. |
Introduction Coastal Marine Habitats Fishy Trivia Dangerous Fishes Fishes and Man About the guidebook |
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From A Guide to Common Marine Fishes of Singapore by Kelvin K P Lim and Jeffrey K Y Low Published by the Singapore Science Centre and sponsored by BP ©Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research and Singapore Science Centre |
