By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama Courtesy The Daily Mirror

COLOMBO (Daily Mirror) – There is a slight increase in the roaming of the highly poisonous fish species called ‘Gonmaha-Stone Fish’ in the sea areas these days with the changing of the monsoon, Parasitology Department Senior Lecturer Dr. Janaka Ruben said.

He told the media that even though the fish species are highly poisonous, they do not attack people or any living being in the sea. This fish is a reef fish.

However, it was reported that several people were admitted to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital recently after they had accidentally touched or stepped on these fishes. The venom of this fish can cause serious injuries when touched or stepped on.

This most widespread stonefish is found on sandy or rubble areas of reef flats and shallow lagoons and in small pools during low tide, well camouflaged among the substrate and sometimes even covered with algae due to the slow movement of this aquatic animal.

Dr. Reuben says that this stonefish used to roam in the sea in many parts of Sri Lanka. This fish species can be found in many countries, such as Australia, Indonesia and India.

As usual, these fishes come close to the shore for breeding purposes, Dr. Reuben said.

He said this fish has little ability to swim, and it is very slow-moving. It swims but does not sting.

The doctor pointed out that the stone fish has several spines on its back, and the poison is ingested by stepping on these spines. It is also said that severe pain is caused by stepping on the fishs’ spines.

Therefore, the doctor informed the people to be cautious when bathing in the sea these days and request that they wear slippers while bathing.

If someone gets stung by this fish in the sea, they should immediately come out of the sea, take immediate measures, and go to the hospital for treatment, the doctor added.

Also, the doctor requested the public not to kill this fish and not to bathe in the sea or walk barefoot along the coast.