Marine Fish: Top 10 Most Dangerous Sea Creatures for Humans
While most marine fish are harmless, docile, and delicious, there are some species that can cause incredible harm to you. When swimming in the sea, you may wonder about the types of fish present; bluefish, mackerel, and sea bream are abundant in our national waters.
However, not every fish might be as innocent as these species. There are very dangerous sea creatures that can easily lead to your death if bitten, stepped on, or touched. In this article, we share with you the 10 most dangerous fish in the world.
World’s Most Dangerous Sea Fish
Many regions around the world are extremely dependent on fish due to them being a source of economic livelihood. Approximately 30,000 fish species are known to live in the world’s waters. We can see some of these species on our dining tables, while others can be found in aquariums.
However, some species can be quite dangerous and intimidating, and undoubtedly, you would want to stay far away from these species.
Here are some dangerous or poisonous fish that you should avoid and be alert about:
1.Pufferfish
The pufferfish is known for its ability to inflate itself with water and air. A member of the Tetraodontidae family, this fish is also referred to as the porcupinefish. The pufferfish has beak-like very sharp teeth and powerful jaws to defend itself and to attack when necessary. However, its dangers aren’t limited to just that.
Thanks to the sharp spikes covering its body, it has an extra layer of defense against other marine fish and creatures that might want to eat it. These spikes are also venomous. The toxin it releases, called tetrodotoxin, can cause paralysis and quickly be fatal when introduced to the human body. So, don’t be fooled by their cute appearance.
Moreover, this fish is edible, but if not prepared correctly, consumption can be lethal. In Japan, even though the fish is often prepared appropriately, there have been instances of people dying after eating porcupinefish. Generally small in size, there are records of this fish reaching up to 90 cm.
2. Stonefish
The stonefish is a lethargic species that lives on corals, rocks, and sand. Although it moves infrequently, it is a highly venomous and dangerous type of fish. Even though stonefish are among the venomous marine fish, they are consumed in Japan, used to make a dish called “sashimi.”
Their resemblance to brown stones allows them to camouflage themselves among rocks and corals. They prefer rocky areas of shallow shores as their habitat. The thick scales covering their body provide protection against predators.
Stonefish have 13 spines on their backs, with the first two in particular capable of injecting venom upon contact. If unnoticed by humans and stepped on or if their spines are touched, the venom they inject can be lethal. Additionally, the pain caused by the venom is intense.
3.Lionfish
The lionfish belongs to the Scorpaenidae family and is among the very venomous marine fish. It is generally found in shallow and tropical reef regions and resides in the Indo-Pacific Oceans.
This fish can also be referred to by many different names, such as the scorpionfish, devil firefish, and thorny fish. One of its most well-known species, the Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans), is kept in marine aquariums by enthusiasts.
The lionfish has eight spines on its anal fin and nine on its dorsal fin, making a total of 17 spines. This fish hunts using an ambush technique. It lies motionless, waiting for its prey to come close enough and then strikes at the opportune moment.
The spines of the lionfish are deadly. While they can kill smaller creatures quickly, it would require a large amount of venom to be lethal to humans.
When their spines come into contact with your skin, they cause a pain that feels like burning and results in redness. For it to be lethal, many spines would need to penetrate the body, injecting the fish’s venom. Once the venom enters the body, it can cause swelling, severe pain, numbness, and ultimately lead to paralysis and potentially death.
4. Great White Shark
The great white shark is a predatory marine fish that can reach up to 6 meters in length and weigh up to 2.3 tons. They are the largest living species of shark. Their primary diet consists of seals, fish, and sea lions.
They have a torpedo-like body structure, a pointed snout, and large gills on both sides of their head. However, what undoubtedly ranks them among the most dangerous sea creatures is not these features. They possess between 1,000 to 2,000 sharp, serrated, and extremely pointed teeth in their mouths. When combined with their large, powerful jaws, this results in an extremely lethal species.
Among the species, the great white shark is the most dangerous. When they bite their prey, they can also move their jaws back and forth, tearing it apart within a few seconds. The famous “Jaws” movie features a great white shark as its main antagonist.
When a great white attacks a human, they usually bite once and then retreat. A second bite is a rare occurrence. If the bite is moderate, there might be time to escape. However, since they are among the largest of their kind, the damage they inflict can result in organ and tissue loss, quickly becoming fatal for a human.
5.Moray Eel
Although the moray eel may resemble a snake, it is an incredibly dangerous fish. There are known to be approximately 200 different species of moray eels in the world’s waters. While the majority live in the seas, there are species that also inhabit freshwater. They are predatory and very aggressive fish that prefer to hide in shallow waters and between reefs.
Although some sources might classify them as venomous fish, moray eels are not actually among the poisonous marine fishes. What makes them dangerous is their swift attack and the numerous sharp teeth in their mouths.
Deaths following a moray eel’s attack are often due to the size of the wound and subsequent infections. In some cases, injuries can result in the loss of a limb. They can be very aggressive and ruthless when disturbed by humans or when they perceive a threat.
6. Stingray
Stingrays are dangerous fish found in many seas, including those around Turkey. They typically camouflage themselves by burying in the sand. Stingrays have a sharp and rigid barb on their tails, which is venomous. The Manta ray, a type of stingray, is the only one without this barb.
They don’t use their barbs to hunt but to defend themselves when they feel threatened. The potential of a stingray to be fatal to humans depends on the species, where the barb enters the body, and how many times it pierces the person. When a stingray barb penetrates human skin, the released venom can cause excruciating pain similar to that of a bee sting.
Once the venom spreads in the tissues, the person can experience symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and fever. If any of these symptoms are observed, medical attention should be sought immediately. Steve Irwin, famed for the Crocodile Hunter documentary series, tragically lost his life when a stingray’s barb pierced his chest multiple times during a dive. They are certainly among the marine species you wouldn’t want to provoke.
7. Sea Snake
Sea snakes are venomous snakes that belong to the elapidae family and spend almost their entire life in the seas. Unlike terrestrial snakes, most sea snakes have a flattened body, and the tips of their tails are shaped like fins to help them swim better. Although they are snakes, they are also members of the marine fish family.
Sea snakes live in shallow and tropical waters. They are not aggressive, but they won’t hesitate to bite in defense if they perceive a threat. They don’t inject venom with every bite, as some of their bites are meant as warnings. Although their bites might not be painful, the venom they deliver can easily kill.
Sea snakes are extremely venomous creatures. There are species that are about 10 times more venomous than terrestrial snakes. Among the most venomous species are Dubois’s sea snake (reef shallow sea snake) and the Banded sea snake. Just 1mg of venom from the Banded sea snake can kill a thousand people. Dubois’s sea snake is known as the world’s most venomous sea snake.
- Blue-Ringed Octopus
The Blue-Ringed Octopus is an extremely venomous creature that lives in the Pacific, especially in Australian waters. Despite their small size, measuring 12-20cm in length and weighing 100 grams, they are among the world’s most venomous marine animals. They have the ability to secrete venom upon contact with their skin.
The Blue-Ringed Octopus is the most venomous octopus species in the world. Its venom is so potent that it can kill you within minutes upon contact. Even high doses of antivenom are sometimes not sufficient as a treatment against its venom. If thirty people were to receive its venom at the same time, all could potentially lose their lives.
The poison, called tetrodotoxin, is ten thousand times more potent than cyanide. If you come into contact with it and get poisoned, you can quickly become paralyzed and may die due to respiratory failure. It’s a type of marine animal you wouldn’t want to be deceived by due to its small size.
9. Box Jellyfish
Box jellyfish are divided into around 50 different species. In some regions, box jellyfish are referred to as sea wasps. They are among the world’s most dangerous and venomous marine animals. Not every species is deadly to humans, but several types can kill you in a very short time.
Box jellyfish are found in seas all over the world, including the Caribbean Sea, Mediterranean, South Africa, and Australian coasts. The waters of the Indo-Pacific and Northern Australia are known to house the most lethal species of box jellyfish.
These creatures have tentacles that can extend up to 3 meters and contain cells known as nematocysts. Each tentacle can contain up to 2 million nematocysts. Each nematocyst contains needles that, upon contact with human skin, create a stinging sensation and inject venom into the wound. The total number of these needles can reach up to 5 billion.
10. Cone Snail
The cone snail is a marine mollusk group that lives in tropical and sub-tropical waters worldwide. While all species are venomous, the spotted cone snail is among the most poisonous of its kind. These snails can grow up to 23cm in length and weigh up to 400 grams. Marine fish approaching them might become prey without realizing what’s happening.
They possess hollow, harpoon-like teeth that they use to inject venom, capable of striking quickly. If you’re deceived by its beautiful shell and touch it, you could lose your life from its bite. It generally attacks when stepped on or when removed from the water.
The worst aspect of cone snail venom is that there’s currently no known antidote. The creature employs a variety of venom mixtures that can contain multiple chemicals. Researchers are working to understand how the venom operates and what effects in humans lead to fatalities.
Furthermore, it was reported that cone snails, which had not been seen in Turkey until recent months, were caught in fishermen’s nets in Marmaris.
When we dive into the sea, we carefully observe the water to see colorful, beautiful marine life. However, this observation should not only be to appreciate their beauty but also to identify venomous species. Some marine creatures can kill or severely injure us.
If you ever get bitten by a venomous marine animal, monitor yourself immediately. Seek medical attention without delay if you experience the slightest pain, tingling, numbness, or an increase in heart rate.
Additionally, if you’d like information on species not covered in this list, you can let us know in the comments.
Kaynaklar: a-z-animals, Wikipedia
