Scorpaenidae (redirected from scorpionfish)

Scorpaenidae

Toxicology A family of venomous bony fish–eg, lionfish, and scorpion fish which contains 30 genera and 350 spp; they are considered to be the most dangerous of all fish in terms of number and severity of injuries to the groups–scuba divers, tropical fish fanciers–affected; the fish envenomate by erecting spines on their dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins that pierce the victim's flesh and release venom Clinical Intense local pain that peaks at 60-90 mins and persists for 8-12 hrs; other manifestations include erythema, ecchymosis, pallor, induration, swelling, edema, hypesthesia, anesthesia, paresthesia, N&V, regional lymphadenopathy, necrosis; the venom is a heat-labile protein that produces hypotension, vasodilation, muscular weakness, respiratory paralysis Treatment Immerse affected body part in hot water; antivenom is available