Weaver fish

Weaver fish (or Weever) are long (up to 37 cm), mainly brown and have poisonous spines on their first dorsal fin and gills. The vast majorities of injuries occurs to the foot and are the result of stepping on buried fish, other common sites of injury are the hands and buttocks. Stings are most common in the hours before and after low tide so one possible precaution is to avoid bathing or paddling at these times. They also increase in frequency during the summer (to a maximum in August) but this is probably the result of the greater number of bathers. Weever stings penetrate wet suit boots even through a rubber sole (if thin) and it is recommended that bathers and surfers wear sandals, "jelly shoes" or wetsuit boots with a relatively hard sole and avoid sitting or "rolling" in the shallows. The pain from weever stings has been described as so severe that sailors stung by the fish would cut off their stung fingers or hands in a desperate attempt to relieve the pain, or even lighting the wound on fire.

Symptoms

• Feels like a scratch from a sharp stone
• Pain begins about 2–3 minutes after being stung.
• Throbbing pain and swelling in the affected area
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Abdominal cramps
• Gangrene and deterioration of tissue (severe symptom)
• Unconsciousness (severe symptom)
• Decrease in blood pressure (severe symptom) 

Treatment
First Aid treatment consists of immersing the affected area in hot water, heat should be applied for at least 15 minutes. Once the pain has eased the injury should be checked for the remains of broken spines and any found need to be removed. Contact immediately medical assistant if any severe symptoms are presented.