Did You Know?

[HayzH]

What is also little known is that most species of Corydoras have a poison gland in their barbs which causes fish which try to eat them to get stung. This causes the attacking fish to suffer a lot of pain rather like a jellyfish sting.

Needless to say this causes an annoying, but harmless, irritant to aquarists skin if they get stung also.

In disposing of an EX cory this morning..hubby got a barbel in his thumb....it caused alot of pain that travelled right up his arm!

 

[swanseastilo]

What is also little known is that most species of Corydoras have a poison gland in their barbs which causes fish which try to eat them to get stung. This causes the attacking fish to suffer a lot of pain rather like a jellyfish sting.

Needless to say this causes an annoying, but harmless, irritant to aquarists skin if they get stung also.

In disposing of an EX cory this morning..hubby got a barbel in his thumb....it caused alot of pain that travelled right up his arm!

Learn something new everyday.

Thanks

 

[the_lock_man]

Well, well, ya live and learn. As indeed, does Mr H.

 

[HayzH]

he had to take pyriton, all his hand swelled and all!

 

[Hermithall]

That's interesting - which species of corydora did he take the sting from? I've read some species can aggravate like a bee sting or worse, and the sting may be from a gland under the dorsal fin. It's very interesting; I have 6 albino corys, but haven't experienced a sting - yet!

 

[HayzH]

Panda cory. he said the spike on one sides when right in his thumb. nasty!

 

[Mowbz]

*now scared of my panda's......*

 

[HayzH]

*now scared of my panda's......*

+1 lol

 

[Akasha72]

That's interesting. what happens if they 'sting' another fish? Does it kill them or just hurt them? I have 3 cory's so would be good to know

 

[HayzH]

The Poison of Corydoras
Many species of Corydoras have a poisonous self-defence mechanism against being eaten by much larger fish. All Corys have very sharp fin spines and some seem to give off a low level toxic chemical into the water when frightened or highly stressed.[2] This toxin is believed to be only mildly irritating to people and only if the person is stressing and handling the Cory with their bare hands and is stung.[3] [4]
Self-poisoning
A rare but recorded event is that at least some some species of Corys appear to be capable of releasing a poisonous mucus from its gills when alarmed which causes itself and other fish in confined volumes of water to rapidly die. Species believed to show this trait are C. adolfoi, C. arcuatus, C. melini, C. metae, C. panda, C. robineae', C. rabauti, C. atropersonatus, C. sterbai and C. trilineatus. This ability is poorly researched and other Corydoras species may be affected. [5][6]
Notes
These fish are incredibly docile, very peaceful and are a wonderfully easy fish to own. However it is a remarkably little known fact that Corydoras species have a very sharp barb just under each eye, one in the adipose fin, and a large one in the front of their dorsal fin.
The fish uses these barbs to protect itself from being swallowed by a larger fish. Therefore when using a net to catch these fish, be prepared for the Cory to become caught up in the mesh of the net. Also, ensure you don't try to catch this fish in your hand!
What is also little known is that most species of Corydoras have a poison gland in their barbs which causes fish which try to eat them to get stung. This causes the attacking fish to suffer a lot of pain rather like a jellyfish sting. Needless to say this causes an annoying, but harmless, irritant to aquarists skin if they get stung also.
The Cory has a sensitive sense of smell and its barbels allow it to taste food hidden in the substrate.
These fish are armoured, not scaled, catfish. They have two rows of overlapping bony plates running down each side and large plates covering their head. Indeed, the name Corydoras is derived from the Greek kory (helmet) and doras (skin).

 

[Akasha72]

hmm very interesting. Thanks for that HayzH

 

[HayzH]

hmm very interesting. Thanks for that HayzH

welcome
i had to google it, as i didnt believe him till now?! He is allergic to bee stings too, last time he ended up in hospital.
I gather he's ok, as i've had no phone calls

 

[the_lock_man]

hmm very interesting. Thanks for that HayzH

welcome
i had to google it, as i didnt believe him till now?! He is allergic to bee stings too, last time he ended up in hospital.
I gather he's ok, as i've had no phone calls

Either that or he's unconscious........

 

[HayzH]

cor what is it...pick on Hayz day today? must have missed it on my calender?

 

[twodoctors]

Keep an eye one the arm. If it swell over minutes to an hour probably allergic reaction as you said. If it swell over hours or days then see a GP to rule out nasty infection.

adrian