Dangerous Organisms in the Red Sea

[Red Sea Shadow]

Several months ago I compiled an article regarding the dangerous organisms in the Red Sea. The objective is not to make people feel afraid of diving but to highlight the major underwater threats. Here's the extract. The full article with pictures in PDF format could be found at http://www.red-sea-shadow.com/downlo...sOrganisms.pdf

Titan Triggerfish
The Titan Triggerfish (Balistoides Viridescens) is ready to attack anyone close to its nest on the sea’s sand bed. Its mouth is very strong, as it is designed for breaking the hardest corals. The Titan Triggerfish can grow up to 75 centimeters in length and lives in depths between 5 and 35 meters.

Stonefish
The Stonefish (Synanceia Verrucosa) lives motionless on hard corals or on sandy or even grassy floors. Its dorsal spines inject a toxin, which is lethal even for man. The Stonefish can grow up to 38 centimeters in length and lives in depths between 5 and
45 meters.

Lionfish
The Lionfish (Pterois) is rather timid and peaceful. However, its radial spines are connected to poisonous glands thus can inject a very dangerous poison so it is advisable not to touch one. The Lionfish can grow up to 18 centimeters in length and lives in depths between 0.5 and 25 meters.

Bluespotted Stingray
The Bluespotted stingray (Taeniura Lymma) stays most of the time on sand, and sometimes covers itself with sand. It has a poisonous spine on the caudal fin that can inflict a painful sting if stepped on. The Bluespotted stingray can grow up to 100 centimeters in length and lives in depths between 2 and 20 meters.

Arabian Surgeonfish
The Arabian Surgeonfish (Acanthurus Sohal) lives on the reef plate. Its caudal fins have very sharp blades so take care not to accidentally touch them. The Arabian Surgeonfish can grow up to 40 centimeters in length and lives in depths between 0.5
and 10 meters.

Bluespine Unicornfish
Like the Arabian Surgeonfish, the Bluespine Unicornfish (Naso Hexacanthus) also lives on the reef plate and its caudal fins have very sharp blades. The Bluespine Unicornfish can grow up to 35 centimeters in length and lives in depths between 10 and 137 meters.

Shortnose Unicornfish
The Shortnose Unicornfish (Naso Unicornis) is like both the Arabian Surgeonfish and the Bluespine Unicornfish. It also lives on the reef plate and possesses very sharp blades on its caudal fins. The Shortnose Unicornfish can grow up to 70 centimeters in length and lives in depths between 2 and 80 meters.

Giant Moray
With its head that juts out of the crevices of the reef, the Giant Moray (Gymnothorax Javanicus) can inflict very painful bites to SCUBA divers who come too close to its den or who try to stroke it. The Giant Moray can grow up to 240 centimeters in length and lives in depths between 10 and 50 meters.

Great Barracuda
The Great Barracuda (Sphyraena Barracuda) is attracted by silvery metal elements of the SCUBA equipment so avoid showing it your first stage. It is counted amongst the most ferocious and voracious reef dwellers. The Great Barracuda can grow up to
190 centimeters in length and lives in depths between 3 and 100 meters.

Diadem Sea Urchin
The Diadem Sea Urchin (Diadema Setosum) is found in the shallow water of lagoons or on the reef plate, especially at night. If it’s touched, its super fine spines can give a painful sting. The Diadem Sea Urchin can grow up to 39 centimeters in length and lives in depths between 0.5 and 9 meters.

Fire Corals
The Fire Corals (Milleporidae) are found in the shallow water, generally in the areas exposed to currents such as reef walls. Extra care must be taken not to touch them as they can cause painful burns. In case of a burn, the affected area should be washed in very hot water, as the stinging toxin breaks down when exposed to heat.

Textile Cone Shell
The Textile Cone Shell (Conus Textile) is a night active mollusk found on the shallow sand beds and is a voracious predator. It possesses a mechanism that makes it capable of shooting poison darts over a distance of more than 10 centimeters. This poison is fatal even for man.

[Mick F]

Nice document & post. Have a green.

[pompeygreg]

Nice job and some great photos!

Greg

[David A]

Nice and concise.

Titan triggerfish scare the bejesus out of me. Give me sharks any day.

[Midnight]

Great article but you missed the most dangerous of all sub aquatic critters:

Neoprenus Cladicus Bubbleotticus (Genus outofcontrolus)

Regards
Midnight

[Owenter]

Much of what you have written is accurate but the reality of suffering from most of these is slim to say the least.

Have seen and treated stings from lionfish - Nasty, sea urchins - unpleasant and painful, fire coral - OUCH!!

Swam with Barracuda hundreds of times and never experienced any outward signs of agression. Same for Morays.

Seen one diver having had a nasty bite from a turtle though.

Trigger Fish - sadistic bastards who hate divers especially when they think you're moving on on their territory during the few weeks a year when he gets laid.

Sharks - awesome, mesmorising, dare I say beautiful creatures.

As mentioned the biggest danger is from divers, sad but true. Carelessness, curiosity, ignorance.... Nope not the right words - Stupidity, that's better.

[David]

Originally Posted by David A

Nice and concise.

Titan triggerfish scare the bejesus out of me. Give me sharks any day.

ONLY FISH I AM SCARED OF.

Mind you I did find it quite funny watching some guy snorkeling first swiming down to a Titan (trevor) and his nest then doing a u turn a swiming away very very very fast once he had relised his mistake :-)


David