Stung by Leiocassis siamensis

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

. I have nine of these guys, and wanted to transfer them from my grow out tank into my 75 gal.

. One wiggled in the net, struck me in my finger, and it immediately hurt, more than a wasp sting. Fortunately, I have the EXTRACTOR , and used it for about 45 min to remove venom. I also submerged the thumb in hot water for 20 min afterwards to neutralize whatever was left of the venom. What's left on my thumb is a 4 mm (1/4'') cut, but the pain is gone, now, about 2 h later.

Yikes. I didn't think that a 4'' catfish can do that much harm.

HarleyK

 

[Oddball]

Been there, done that. It seems like a rite of passage for all long term fishkeepers. Just make sure you employ some triple antibiotic salve to stave off any other nasties that may try to take advantage of the injury entry point.

 

[Bottomfeeder]

Do you think the venom extractor helped at all? I've heard many say they don't.

More catfish seem to possess the ability to sting than I was ever told. I've had some pretty nasty reactions to even bullhead stings.

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

yeah, the extractor actually produces a decent vacuum - sufficient to at least remove some of the venom, regardless of wasp, bee, or like here catfish (note: I also used heat-deactivation afterwards). Compared to rubber suction cups, which I don't think work at all. I would not want to bet my life on a rattlesnake bite, but I found that the extractor really reduces the pain intensity and duration with wasp stings.

HarleyK

Oddball: Great advice on the antibiotic! And I would've gladly passed on that rite of passage. LOL.

 

[justarn]

lol i had one off my old two in my hand a week or so ago when i sold them, trying to see their sex when i scooped them out for the new owner, not sure i would have been so eager if i knew they were venomous!!!

is my wyckii venomous?? stroke him all the time during maintenance to move him aside?

 

[pops]

never been stung by a cat, but did step on a sculptin I had caught, dorsal spine through my little toe. the swelling and pain was crazy. take a wasp or bee sting any day.

 

[Bottomfeeder]

lol i had one off my old two in my hand a week or so ago when i sold them, trying to see their sex when i scooped them out for the new owner, not sure i would have been so eager if i knew they were venomous!!!

is my wyckii venomous?? stroke him all the time during maintenance to move him aside?

It would seem that many catfish have venom glands associated with their dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic spines. If you manage to avoid those parts, you should be fine... but some smaller cats do stick their spines out and thrash around, as if they're trying to defend themselves... best to not catch them with your hands.

 

[raubiy]

Once i grabed Big TSN with bare hands.
Pain was insane.... I just remember cursing at everything i know at that time.
Once i have been strung by black bullhead but it's nothing compared to TSN.

 

[Belly up]

A buddy and I were cleaning some Channel Cats one time when he slipped and stabbed himself in the wrist with a spine. I had to pull it off because it was buried so deep. He almost went into shock, chilling and sweating. Long story short; the doctor told us the only thing for it was to soak it is warm water to beak down the protein that is the venom (as mentioned by OP).

 

[MoNsTeR FiS]

While getting out a fish form a 300 tank i had to drain the water and then while catching the fish, my red tailed catfish was crawling over my foot and stabbed his pectoral spine into my foot. It swelled for a few days and was a very painful experience i wish i avoided.

Also in my 450 gallon tank i had a bumblebee catfish in there and i thought it had died (had not seen it in a year) and was cleaning the gravel and felt a thrashing below my foot and i lift up my foot and find it and i had to get it out so i don't step on it again. It ended up barely getting me but it was still painful.