Aqua Inhabitants

The information below was printed in The New Paper on Tuesday 4th of August 2009

Wildlife that resides near water pockets. It could be found at beaches in Singapore.

1) Sea Snakes

They swim with their flat tails. They have no gills so they must rise to the surface for air but can remain underwater for hours. They are usually found in warm coastal waters.

2) Stone Fish

They can grow to about 30 - 40cm long. They have tough dorsal fin spines that can act like hypodemic needles and penetrate thick soled shoes. These inject a neurotoxin venom that can kill. It is understood that they use their spines for self-defence and not for hunting prey. They can be found in tide pools and shallow waters of tropical seas.

What to do to avoid them:
- Shuffle feet when walking in shallow water to give the fish time to escape.
- Wear rubber boots for protection.

What to do if stung:
- Apply tourniquet above the site of the sting and raise the affected area.
- Remove any broken spines, clean the wound, encourage bleeding.
- Dipping the affected area in warm water can help relieve pain.
- Seek medical attention.

3) Blue-ringed Octopus:

They are not aggressive and tend to avoid confrontation. If they are unable to avoid, they eject a neuromuscular venom that causes paralysis. They can be found in shallow reefs, in coral rock pools and in tidal pools.

Advice:
- Victims can be saved if artificial respiration begins quickly. The only treatment is ongoing artificial respiration until the poison dissipates. (Usually in 24 hours)
- Symptoms include nausea, vision loss and blindness, loss of sense, loss of motor skills, repiratory arrest.

4) Poisonous Crabs

Their toxins cannot be destroyed by cooking and are extremely potent. The toxins are in the flesh and cannot be transmitted if one is pinched by the claws.

Advice:
- Most of them have bright warning colours.
- Any food coming into contact with toxic crabs should be discarded.