Sea dragons: dangerous handsome men

The amazing and unique world of the underwater kingdom always aroused interest and excited the imagination of impatient researchers. Indeed, what kind of forms and manifestations of life can not be seen in the depths of the sea waters!

Bottom fish - a dangerous marine life

One of the most interesting specimens of the inhabitants of the seas washing the coast of the European, African, and South American continent is a sea dragon, a snake fish or a scorpion. Poisonous fish of medium size and weighing about 300 grams has an oblong elongated body shape flattened from the sides, an elongated lower jaw that is provided with fine but sharp enough teeth, bright brown-yellow with dark intermittent spots and stripes, color of the back and light-milk abdomen.

Sea dragons stand in the first row with the most dangerous fish of temperate latitudes. Their name absolutely corresponds to the appearance. The presence of characteristic fins with thorns with deep furrows, at the base of which there are glands containing poison, gives a dramatic appearance and a very high risk to the fish. Spines located on the gill covers and in the first dorsal fin are a formidable weapon that the sea dragon launches in any danger or on the hunt. The poison of this fish is extremely dangerous and acts like a snake, which is reminiscent of its second name - snake fish.

Features of behavior

Sea dragons prefer quiet creeks in shallow bays with a muddy or sandy bottom. Burying the very eyes in the soft ground, the fish calmly lays down, but jumps out lightly as soon as it sees the approaching victim. The dragon is the most active in the twilight, it is not visible during the day, and considering that he likes the same places as the bathers, the danger from meeting with him only increases. Even just walking in shallow water, a person risks getting a portion of poison from the fins, if accidentally stepped on the sea dragon.

Lifestyle

In summer, sea dragons stay within 20 meters from sea level, and wintering goes to depth, eating there fry, small crustaceans, shrimps and crabs. Sexual maturity of the fish reaches at the age of three. Spawning continues throughout the summer period - from June to October. Female dragonchik for this time able to sweep up to 73 thousand eggs. On average, its dimensions range from 15 to 20 cm, but giants also come across in their family: specimens of 35 to 45 cm in length are known.

The sea dragon, whose photo is presented, has no industrial significance, but amateur fishermen often catch this fish, the meat of which is very tasty. While engaged in catching a dragon, one must be very careful. Even a dead snake can sting.

Precautionary measures

A poisonous sea dragon is capable of causing serious harm, and that rest does not turn into troubles and health problems, diving lovers, bathers and tourists should get acquainted with the appearance of these fish and observe the necessary precautions:

• Do not try to grab the fish with unprotected hands;
• Do not rummage underwater caves, they can hide the sea dragon, a photo of which should be studied in advance in order to get acquainted with the potential danger;
• Walking on the coast in the tide, you should look under your feet, as these fish do not always have time to leave with water, often remain in wet sand and they can easily come on;
• Finding a dead dragon, you should not touch it with your hands - the poison persists for some time;
• If a fisherman catches a dragon, immediately cut off the poisonous spikes.

First aid in pricking

If we still did not manage to protect ourselves from the attack of snake fish, we should, without wasting time, render the necessary assistance to the victim. The prick of the spine causes quite painful sensations: the arisen sharp stitching pains are very painful, the feverish state, accompanied by the rise in temperature, can last from day to week. There is an opinion that the poison is destroyed, if immediately after the bite, inject a syringe into the wound of a 5% solution of potassium permanganate. This measure reduces or prevents inflammation and relieves pain, but not always the first-aid kit is at hand.

Experienced fishermen, faced with stitches fins, immediately put a tourniquet above the place of defeat and suck the poison, spitting it. It is advisable to put the cold on the injection site and go to the nearest medical institution. Unfortunately, without hospitalization in this case it is impossible to manage. Specific antidote for the poison, which affects sea dragons, does not exist. Severe pain can not stop even with morphine, so first aid is very important.

Depending on the depth of the wound and the degree of care provided, it will take a different time to restore health: sometimes it takes several days, sometimes - not one month.

Black Sea dragon

The analogue of the famous fugu fish in Russia is one of eight species of marine dragons who have long and successfully mastered the expanses of the Black Sea, which sometimes appears in the The Kerch Strait. It has a low flattened body, with a shallow, closely fitting scales. The head is decorated with spines, the most dangerous of which are located on the gills. Two dorsal fins in the dragon, like a magnificent crest, beautiful and dangerous, are also a serious weapon and a visiting card.

Non-industrial, but terrificly delicious, is caught by amateur fishermen sea dragon. The Black Sea stores large reserves of this amazing sea scorpion - a small owner of formidable weapons.