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What is the sand dwelling creature

  • 02-06-2009 10:39pm
    #1
    Dummy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 984 ✭✭✭


    There is a creature that lives in the sand of some Irish beaches that have been reported on a lot quite recently. These things can bite and their bite causes serious illness in infants. Does anyone know their name?

    I remember first hearing of them on the Joe Duffy Show last year or the year before.


    Regards,

    D


Comments

  • #2
    5uspect
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 10,518 Mod ✭✭✭✭5uspect


    That'd be the sand worms of Arrakis, makers of the spice.

    seriously tho I've no idea.


  • #3
    Dummy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 984 ✭✭✭Dummy


    Thanks. I think I found it - the Weever Fish.


  • #4
    boneless
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,487 ✭✭✭boneless


    5uspect wrote: »
    That'd be the sand worms of Arrakis, makers of the spice.

    seriously tho I've no idea.

    They're only dangerous on a friday night...


    I know a woman who stood on a weaver fish once; nasty things but it is advised to wear gym shoes where ever they are detected.


  • #5
    CJhaughey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,907 ✭✭✭✭CJhaughey


    They don't bite but the spines have a toxin that is unpleasant if you get a jab.
    As with a lot of fish toxins heat denatures the protein that causes the pain.
    So if you do happen to get a whack from a weeverfish put the affected part under water as hot as you can stand, NOT boiling water but somewhere around 60 deg will be enough to help.
    I have had plenty of hits from poisonous fish over the years and this is the only real solution.


  • #6
    Sundew
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,554 ✭✭✭Sundew


    CJhaughey wrote: »
    They don't bite but the spines have a toxin that is unpleasant if you get a jab.
    As with a lot of fish toxins heat denatures the protein that causes the pain.
    So if you do happen to get a whack from a weeverfish put the affected part under water as hot as you can stand, NOT boiling water but somewhere around 60 deg will be enough to help.
    I have had plenty of hits from poisonous fish over the years and this is the only real solution.

    Doing a wee on the effected area relieves the pain too. This may be the quickest way to ease the pain! :)

    And seriously I am not taking the pee!


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  • #7
    CJhaughey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,907 ✭✭✭✭CJhaughey


    Sundew wrote: »
    Doing a wee on the effected area relieves the pain too. This may be the quickest way to ease the pain! :)

    And seriously I am not taking the pee!

    I think you are thinking of Jellyfish stings, these are alkaline and indeed urine and vinegar neutralise the stings, Weeverfish don't sting like a jellyfish, the spines put the toxin inside your skin, peeing on the site won't do much.


  • #8
    Dummy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 984 ✭✭✭Dummy


    Thank you all for coming back to me. We think we saw these weever fish at a beach in Waterford. The tide was out and we were wading at knee level and saw small fishy things darting out from under the sand.

    I have read up on these guys and just in case, all of our kids have been decked out in those rubber boots that come with wet suits. They got the wet suits as well as they go charging into the sea fully dressed - even in their Sunday bests. The wet suits were v reasonable - €12.

    Thanks again.


  • #9
    AlanSparrowhawk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 485 ✭✭AlanSparrowhawk


    good stuff


  • #10
    cornbb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,790 ✭✭✭cornbb


    Got stung by one of these fellas today in Lahinch and came across this thread during my research. Had never heard of em before. A lifeguard treated my foot using hot water as described by CJhaughey and it was very effective in relieving the pain and swelling. He said it's extremely common on Irish beaches, and says the pain is typically excruciating :eek: although it certainly wasn't that bad in my case. Think I'll be wearing booties from now on :)


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