A poisonous fish is appearing more and more frequently on the North Sea and Baltic Sea: the Petermännchen. And his sting has consequences – how holidaymakers should react.
It is not only in southern countries that dangerous animal species threaten the sea. Most recently, echo24.de reported on a rapidly spreading puffer fish species in the Mediterranean. And also in the North Sea and Baltic Sea lurks a real poison danger for holidaymakers. This fish is one of the most dangerous poisonous animals in Europe. Experts warn against the Peterman.
Similar to the lionfish in the Mediterranean region, the chance of an uncomfortable encounter also increases with the Petermännchen. According to media reports, doctors have been concerned again and again in recent years.
Poisonous fish on the rise in the North Sea: Increasing danger from the Petermännchen
Commenting on the increasing number of cases, Prof. Dr. Andreas Schaper from the Poison Information Centre North (GIZ) told the reportage magazine Geo: 'Again and again there are poisonings with the Petermännchen on the northern German coasts. Either you step on the fish in shallow water or anglers injure themselves when the fish detaches from the fish hook."
Fatal incidents with holidaymakers have so far failed to materialise. But they are possible. As the portal spektrum.de writes, around 40 people are affected by contact with the fish every year. But what is the Peterman? What is behind the poisonous fish in the North Sea and Baltic Sea?
Petermännchen: This is where the poisonous fish hides - holidaymakers have to pay attention to this
Peter males belong to the group of perches and belong to the so-called spiny-finned fish. The fish, which are 15 to 53 centimeters long, have a bone beam sitting on the anterior dorsal fin. Numerous poison glands are located here. In addition, there is a poisonous thorn on the gill cover.
The Petermännchen hides especially often in shallow waters. © Wolfgang Runge/dpa
For holidaymakers, the Petermännchen is extremely difficult to spot. As Geo describes, the fish like to burrow into the sand with their "narrow, bright green-brown-yellow body". A dangerous tactic: deceive, camouflage, kill. For the untrained eye, they are no longer really recognizable during bathing fun.
According to experts, the poisonous fish are increasingly "spawning in shallow waters" on the North Sea and Baltic Sea, especially in the summer months.
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Poison of the Peterman: The painful consequences for holidaymakers
According to an NDR report, the poison of the Petermännchen smells similar to ammonia. The liquid contains "5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin), which causes extreme pain". In addition, there is a protein that "leads to a histamine release with swelling and redness". The poison is released at the moment when the sting is drilled into the skin of the victim.
Facts about the Petermännchen
According to the portal schutzstation-wattenmeer.de, the scientific name Trachinus draco translates as "rough dragon". In addition, the site provides other, quite curious facts about the Peterman:
- Predatory fish never eat Petermas, whereas cormorants tolerate the poison well.
- The fish is considered a delicacy in France.
- Seagulls, which are thrown a freshly caught Petermännchen and swallow it, supposedly immediately fall dead from the air.
The poison then spreads throughout the body. The puncture site swells, reddens and heats up. The tissue in this place dies. Other symptoms: headache, fever, nausea, breathing problems, circulatory collapse or cardiac arrhythmias. According to experts, it becomes particularly dangerous when "those affected are stung in the water and can hardly keep their heads above water due to the extreme pain". In the worst case, allergic reactions can also lead to cardiac arrest and death.
Poisonous fish in the North Sea: symptoms after a sting of the Petermännchen
Dr Martin Ebbecke from GIZ-Nord explains to Geo magazine: 'The injuries are extremely painful and the symptoms can last for weeks, months or, in rare cases, even years.' How do holidaymakers have to behave in the event of a sting by the Petermännchen?
Experts agree on the first measures to be taken after a bite of the poisonous fish: the sting should be removed immediately and the wound should be disinfected. In addition, affected holidaymakers should heat the puncture site up to 50 degrees. A hair dryer or an electric anti-mosquito stick can be helpful. This counteracts the protein in the poison. And you should always consult a doctor immediately. The symptoms at a glance:
- Puncture site swells, reddens, becomes hot
- Tissue dies
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea
- Breathing
- Circulatory collapse or cardiac arrhythmias
North Sea and Baltic Sea: Precautions for holidaymakers against the Petermännchen
Since the Petermännchen is mainly found in shallow waters of the North Sea and Baltic Sea and is difficult for holidaymakers to see in the sandy ground, you should protect yourself with bathing shoes, for example when hiking on the mudflats. And divers should also always keep the necessary distance. Petermales can also attack.