Scorpion fish

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=115 BGCOLOR="#66CCCC" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03500730ezvthe.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#CCFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>The wonders of the weeverfish ( T.vipera )</B></FONT><B>|   </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Wonders of the Weeverfish (Trachinus vip"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id57.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dangerous spines"><U>Dangerous spines</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id59.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="STINGRAYS"><U>STINGRAYS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id62.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="LIONFISH"><U>LIONFISH</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="STARGAZER"><U>STARGAZER</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id68.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="STONE FISH"><U>STONE FISH</U></A>   |   <B>Scorpion fish</B>   |   <A HREF="id119.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FISH MORPHOLOGY"><U>FISH MORPHOLOGY</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=365 BGCOLOR="#66CCCC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Scorpion fish</B></div> <div> These fish are probably the most dangerous animal that most swimmers will come into contact with. Members of this group of fish have venomous spines on their dorsal, ventral and anal fins. Each spine has a separate venom gland at the base. Most injuries are caused when the unsuspecting swimmer steps onto one of these spines whilst swimming.  The treatment for such wounds is very similar to weeverfish stings, that is to place the affected part of the body into very hot water until the pain decreases or as long as the patient can stand. The wound then has to be thoroughly cleaned afterwards to prevent the area becoming septic.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="38c2c570.jpg" border=0 width="556" height="343" ALT="Scorpaena porcus photograph" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Scorpion Fish, </B><I><B>Scorpaena porcus</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Scorpaena porcus</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <B>Distribution: </B>Mediterranean, Eastern Atlantic from the Canary islands to Biscay. Can also be found on rare occasions as far north as the English Channel.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Colour: </B>Brown of reddish brown with irregular spots and band which are very effective </div> <div> camouflage, making this animal difficult to see in the water. A reason for bathers to beware.</div> <bR> <div> These fish usually lies motionless during the day in amongst rocks on the seabed. This is a shallow water species which is believed to feed mainly at night.  Scorpion fish breed in late spring or early summer. The eggs are embedded in a transparent protective mucous and laid in one solid lump.</div> <bR> <div> Their are two other members of this group <I><B>Scorpaena scrofa</B></I>, These fish spend most of their time motionless on the bottom, The adult fish prefer 20 - 200m water depth so rarely come into contact with bathers. However the young fish may be found in shallower water. The morphology of this species is very similar to <I>S.porcus </I>but live in deeper water. The other member of this group is <I><B>Scorpaena notata </B></I>or <I><B>S.ustulata </B></I>two names for the same fish. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Do not understand the general morphology of fish ??? </B></div> <div> <B>Then click on the link below for a description.</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id119.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FISH MORPHOLOGY"><U><B>FISH MORPHOLOGY</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id67.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SITE INDEX"><U><B><IMG SRC="27194e10.jpg" border=0 width="148" height="225" ALT="Index Page To Site Link" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>For a list of the books that I used and found useful whilst preparing this site.</B></div> <div> <B>Click on the Link below.</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOOKS I FOUND USEFUL"><U><B>BOOKS I FOUND USEFUL</B></U></A></div> </td> </tr></table></body>