Are blue tangs venomous?

[Miami Reef]

I got stabbed in my finger from a blue tang’s dorsal fins. It got me pretty good and deep. Before anyone asks, it was my fault that I got stabbed by the tang.

My thumb feels like it’s burning and throbbing. I slightly bled, but this feels different from a regular puncture.

 

[Miami Reef]

The top part of the after got me.

 

[Fish Styx]

I got stabbed in my finger from a blue tang’s dorsal fins. It got me pretty good and deep. Before anyone asks, it was my fault that I got stabbed by the tang.

My thumb feels like it’s burning and throbbing. I slightly bled, but this feels different from a regular puncture.

Venomous? No, not exactly, per se. Poisonous? Yes (if you eat them). The distinction being that, if it bites you and you get sick, it's "venomous, and if you bite it and get sick, it's "poisonous".

Our aquariums, regardless of how pristine they appear to the eye, are filthy places and are loaded with lots of harmful bacteria and other toxins. When your skin got broken, it is possible that something on it's caudal peduncal or dorsal spines (Ciguatera) was transferred to your wound, or perhaps you picked something up from the water column. Monitor it closely, and If symptoms worsen, or you develop any others (seemingly related or not) seek medical attention immediately. Things like Mycobacterium Marinum are no joke.

Disclaimer: This reply should not be misconstrued as qualified medical advice in any way, shape, or form. If you delay seeking medical care for any reason, you do so of your own volition, and at your own risk.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Namaste.

 

[Miami Reef]

Thanks.

My finger feels much better already. If I feel anything off, I will get it checked out.

I don’t feel the throbbing anymore.

 

[Fish Styx]

Thanks.

My finger feels much better already. If I feel anything off, I will get it checked out.

I don’t feel the throbbing anymore.

Keep an eye on it, it could still be Ciguatera. You may begin to feel nauseous and experience emetic episodes (vomitting). If symptoms persist for an extended period of time, or you start to get extreme headaches, go get checked out.

Again, standard disclaimer applies.

 

[Dburr1014]

Hope you feel better.
100% agree with the advice given.
Grab hydrogen peroxide and wash it out of you haven't yet.

I'm waiting for the day my PT stabs me, it's always trying to swipe me when my hand is in the tank.

 

[Slocke]

You'd know if it was venemous. The venom from the fins of many species of fish contian proteins that activate pain receptors. Mostly harmless but it hurts!! I've seen people bed ridden for days from the pain of some stings.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Thanks.

My finger feels much better already. If I feel anything off, I will get it checked out.

I don’t feel the throbbing anymore.

Is the finger still attached, or has it dropped off unnoticed

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Do you guys watch kings of pain?
Blue Tang (dory) got a 12 on the pain index, which is kind of low on the pain index. According to the show, the caudal spine does contain toxins.
Anyway, according to the show, the pain passed quickly without lasting effects.

 

[Fish Styx]

Do you guys watch kings of pain?
Blue Tang (dory) got a 12 on the pain index, which is kind of low on the pain index. According to the show, the caudal spine does contain toxins.
Anyway, according to the show, the pain passed quickly without lasting effects.

I think I only saw an episode where he let a velvet ant sting him. Yeah, nope. No way. No how. lol. Maybe that was a different show though. Yeah, you are right-- the spines contain Ciguatera. I mentioned it previously. Aside from pain, it can cause a whole other host of symptoms, to include CNS depression and hallucinations. Best to proceed with caution until you know how your body reacts to it.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

My understanding is we haven't really studied which (if any) tangs are venomous, but they all might be (though if they are, it would be a very mild toxin by all accounts I've read):

"As described and documented by Halstead (1970, 1988), Smith and Wheeler (2006), and the current study, the venomous dorsal spines in jacks (Fig. 2B), gurnard perches, rabbitfishes (Smith and Wheeler 2006: fig. 3G), scats, most scorpionfishes, most stonefishes (Smith and Wheeler 2006: fig. 3E), tangs, and weeverfishes have converged on an anatomy where there are multiple anterolateral grooves on each fin spine that contain yellow to orange venomous tissue."*

"It is believed that some species of Acanthurus have venom glands while others do not."**

"The genera Acanthurus, Ctenochaetus, Paracanthurus and Zebrasoma have sharp, movable blades that are embedded in a skin sheath at the base of the tail when in the resting position (Fig. 4.24). If the fish is under threat, these blades are erected outwards from the posteriorly located articulation. Thus surgeonfishes can use this blade to inflict deep, often fatal gashes by beating their tail when swimming past an attacking fish.

The integument that covers the blade is very thin and poorly developed in some acanthurids. In some of the larger species, however, it is quite thick and equipped with a secretory function. However, it is not clear whether these secretions are toxic."***

*Source:

Evolution of Venomous Cartilaginous and Ray-Finned Fishes

Venom and its associated delivery systems have evolved in numerous animal groups ranging from jellyfishes to spiders, lizards, shrews, and the male platypu

academic.oup.com

**Source:

Acanthurus chirurgus

Doctorfish Acanthurus chirurgus This pancake-shaped reef fish is blue-gray to brown colored with thin, dark bars down its sides. It is sometimes offered as a fresh catch locally, but can cause ciguatera poisoning in humans. Handle with care during an encounter because of the sharp spines hid

www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu

***Source:

VAPAGuide - Biomedical database - Venomous fish - Acanthuridae

 

[nereefpat]

I agree with at least some tangs having venom glands. As it is reported in the literature. And venom doesn't have to be from a bite, just some kind of puncture. There are lots of examples in fish, including lionfish and rabbitfishes and catfishes.

 

[Fish Styx]

I agree with at least some tangs having venom glands. As it is reported in the literature. And venom doesn't have to be from a bite, just some kind of puncture. There are lots of examples in fish, including lionfish and rabbitfishes and catfishes.

Agreed. The addage I quoted about bites is the simple way of explaining the difference between "venomous" and "poisonous", in response to the OP's question regarding poison. It was not at all intended to suggest there were no other routes of administration, if you will. I also noted Ciguatera envenomation consistent with Paracantharus Hepatus, resulting from punctures caused by the caudal peduncal or dorsal spines.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I'm glad I read the other responses, I was gunna say cut off the finger asap so you don't turn tang. The others advice is probably best, but never be to careful....

 

[Miami Reef]

My thumb feels perfectly fine. I just have the weird urge to keep swimming and cram myself into rocks.

Kidding, of course, but my thumb feels totally fine. I am typing and using it, and there’s no pain whatsoever.

 

[bushdoc]

Thumb, shmumb...
How is the Tang?

 

[Miami Reef]

Thumb, shmumb...
How is the Tang?

He’s perfectly fine.

 

[crusso1993]

I agree with at least some tangs having venom glands. As it is reported in the literature. And venom doesn't have to be from a bite, just some kind of puncture. There are lots of examples in fish, including lionfish and rabbitfishes and catfishes.

This is also applicable to quite a number of women I used to know!

 

[Fish Styx]

This is also applicable to quite a number of women I used to know!

You and me both, good sir.

 

[Fish Styx]

My thumb feels perfectly fine. I just have the weird urge to keep swimming and cram myself into rocks.

Kidding, of course, but my thumb feels totally fine. I am typing and using it, and there’s no pain whatsoever.

The transformation has begun! Muhuhahahahahaha