triggerfish bite information please

[discrepancy]

Bloody trigger fish!! Once in Thailand I was slowly finning along over the sand a few feet behind my buddy when this large trigger fish darted out of the gloom like a bullet and hit my buddy hard, right between the eyes. The fish turned and disappeared as quickly as he had appeared. My buddy turned to me and pointed at his forehead, to say, "Am I bleeding?" He wasn't, but he already had a large bruise there.

If your trigger fish took a piece out of you, there could be some scar tissue. After five weeks the problem is probably not infection. If it continues to swell or turn colour I would see a doc. If not, wear the scar as a badge of honour. Maybe a good conversation piece?

 

[MichaelBaranows]

I have to agree those Triggers are dangerous. Ihave never had one attack me when diving. But fishing I have had them bite me and a buddy of my had one last year bark at him until he got it back in the water.

 

[pete340]

Hello all you folk,
I was hoping some of you may be able to help me with some information about triggerfish bites. About 5 weeks ago i was snorkelling in the Maldives and got attacked quite badly by a large trigger fish. He got me very badly on my left leg and another go on my right before i could get away.

I'll bet that "he" was actually "she". If I remember correctly, this is thier mating season, and divers are well advised to stay away from their egg masses, which are laid on the sand.

 

[tracyjane]

thanks to all the replies is nice to read about your experiences and advice.
Just a point, I did not even see a nest or the fish itself i was happily looking ahead at some fish and it came from behind, all i felt was this almighty thump to my leg then intense pain and then it hit the other leg in a few split seconds later before I could roll on my back and kick like blazes to get away from whatever it was attacking me as i had not seen what it was.
Was very frightening i might add and my next few attempts at snorkelling full of fear and only lasted 10minutes instead of the hours i used to spend happily gazing at the fish. HOpe i get over it!!!
cheers
tracy jane

 

[pete340]

Just a point, I did not even see a nest or the fish itself i was happily looking ahead at some fish and it came from behind, all i felt was this almighty thump to my leg then intense pain and then it hit the other leg in a few split seconds later before I could roll on my back and kick like blazes to get away from whatever it was attacking me as i had not seen what it was.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that it was your fault.

Was very frightening i might add and my next few attempts at snorkelling full of fear and only lasted 10minutes instead of the hours i used to spend happily gazing at the fish. HOpe i get over it!!!

If it helps, try staying over coral and avoiding sand. They nest on sand.

 

[chip104]

Yes, I hope this isolated incident doesn't deter you! Very relaxing to snorkel. If it's still painful to the touch, pussing a little, has a white 'icing' layer, or smells funky, it maybe infected. But it sounds like it's healing ok (if it's fang marks it may take longer to heal if they're deep). And yes, it does make a cool battle scar (but hopefully a small one - some people are sensitive to having scars on their legs).

thanks to all the replies is nice to read about your experiences and advice.
Just a point, I did not even see a nest or the fish itself i was happily looking ahead at some fish and it came from behind, all i felt was this almighty thump to my leg then intense pain and then it hit the other leg in a few split seconds later before I could roll on my back and kick like blazes to get away from whatever it was attacking me as i had not seen what it was.
Was very frightening i might add and my next few attempts at snorkelling full of fear and only lasted 10minutes instead of the hours i used to spend happily gazing at the fish. HOpe i get over it!!!
cheers
tracy jane

 

[chip104]

I've been bitten by them, but I've never had any swelling. I had my revenge though when I grilled him up that night. (Atlantic Trigger, the gray one, not the tropical one) I would guess the pain and swelling you have is an infection. Wouldn't hurt to have it checked out.

lol! Touche! You showed him.

 

[Townsendbarone]

Hello all you folk,
I was hoping some of you may be able to help me with some information about triggerfish bites. About 5 weeks ago i was snorkelling in the Maldives and got attacked quite badly by a large trigger fish. He got me very badly on my left leg and another go on my right before i could get away.

I had fang marks, blood lots of swelling and pain!!!!!

It did not get infected as such but the tissue under the area is very tough and still not back to normal at all.

Has anyone else had such an experience or know if this is serious and get a specialist to look at it? or is this normal and will the tissue soften in time.
(don't know where you get one on triggerfish bites in Abu Dhabi!whis is where we are living now, am Australian, so a bit of a worry really)???

Can anyone help?
thanks alot tracyjane

Hey there are you still having a hard time with the bite I got bit to about five years ago and let me tell you it takes a real long time to heal yeah because they bite real deep and damge nirve endings,you will know if it gets infected first red skin around the bite yeah next will swell bad, I used iodine because that **** works sister it might sting real bad but it will kill the infection,if you see vain turning red and growing up words going to your hart from the bite you are getting staff infection and that is when it is bad can die hours later,go to redcross if can not find one then go home yeah

 

[LavaSurfer]

lol! Touche! You showed him.

Sheesh, and I was woried about the Sharks....
I know the Humuhumunukunukuapua'a can get a little agressive around the nest. I have had a few chase me off and let me know who is boss.

 

[tracyjane]

Hey there are you still having a hard time with the bite I got bit to about five years ago and let me tell you it takes a real long time to heal yeah because they bite real deep and damge nirve endings,you will know if it gets infected first red skin around the bite yeah next will swell bad, I used iodine because that **** works sister it might sting real bad but it will kill the infection,if you see vain turning red and growing up words going to your hart from the bite you are getting staff infection and that is when it is bad can die hours later,go to redcross if can not find one then go home yeah

i am home now and it is about 5 weeks after the bite, just seems to be alot of scar tissue etc and hard under skin but no infection really i don't think, but thanks for your info.
cheers
tracy