Aquarium warns bathers to Beware the Weever!
Newquay's Blue Reef has renewed its warning about the dangers of poisonous weever fish after several surfers were stung at Fistral Beach over the weekend.
We look after a shoal of more than 20 weevers at Blue Reef. Although the chances of getting stung are slight, bathers and surfers should be on their guard against the fish which lie half-buried in shallow water.
Despite measuring less than six centimetres weevers are thought to be Britain's most dangerous marine species.
Once trodden on the fish uses specially-adapted dorsal fins to inject a fast-acting poison into the wound. The pain is described as excruciating and is at its most intense for the first two hours when the affected limb swells up.
If left untreated it will continue feeling numb until the following day and some pain may last for up to two weeks. If the spine actually breaks off in the foot it will cause discomfort until it is removed.
Blue Reef's Matt Slater said: "The chances of actually stepping on a weever fish are very small but there are some basic precautions that swimmers can take to avoid getting stung. The simplest is to wear some form of footwear when you're in the water.
"If you do get stung the most effective treatment is to put the affected limb in water as hot as the victim can stand without causing scalding. Last year I even heard of a man using a hot pasty to relieve the pain!" he added.
The heat helps to breakdown the poison but it also increases blood flow to the sting causing natural cleaning and healing. Vinegar or even urine have been suggested alternative treatments but work only on jellyfish stings, not Weeverfish stings.
The sting feels at first like a sharp stab but this pain increases quickly for up to an hour and has been known to last for up to 24 hours. The venom produced is a nerve poison and has a chemical in it which is one of the most potent pain producing substances known.
Most Cornish beaches have lifeguards trained in first aid and help and advice can be sought there. Seek medical advice if you have any concerns following a Weever fish sting.
Most reports of stings occur during the summer months - not because the fish are more numerous inshore at this time of year but because more people take to the water as sea temperatures rise.
The weever's poisonous dorsal spine is a defence against would be attackers, unfortunately the sight of a gigantic human foot descending towards them is viewed as a justifiable threat!
