Kayaker encounters deadly stonefish, world’s most venomous fish

A kayaker paddling on a saltwater creek noticed a blob near the surface of the water and scooped it up with the paddle. It turned out (...)

A kayaker in Australia was paddling on a creek near the ocean when the paddler noticed a blob near the surface of the water and scooped it up with the paddle. Turns out, the blob was a deadly stonefish, the world’s most venomous fish.

Jennifer Taylor, whose friend snapped the photo, posted the image on the Australian Native Animals Facebook page. She wrote, “Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see it, but my partner and friend saw their first wild stonefish today! Near Townville, in saltwater.”

The encounter occurred Sunday and was first reported by Daily Mail Australia. Townville is located in North Queensland.

The post prompted quite a reaction from commenters, many of whom thought it was mud or something worse on the paddle.

In subsequent comments, Taylor said it was discovered in a “saltwater creek and mangroves, about 300 meters up from the ocean; creek is short, probably only 500 meters, all saltwater.”

She admitted knowing nothing about stonefish but was told this stonefish “was probably sick or injured for it to be swimming so close to the surface and easy to scoop up.”

Also on FTW Outdoors: Can you spot the eastern diamondback rattlesnake?

Stonefish are dangerous and a species to be avoided, as their stings can be fatal to humans if not treated. Most stings occur as a result of stepping on one.

“Had a friend step on one these ugly things about 20 years ago,” one commenter wrote on the post. “They were in hospital for 3 months, nearly died twice.”

One documented fatality occurred in 1915. The victim, Joseph Leathom Wassell, stepped on one at Thursday Island in Queensland. The deadly spine went through his boot and into his foot, according to an article in The Argus in 1936. He died a few days later.

Also on FTW Outdoors: Angler’s mishap with snake takes big bite out of his pocketbook

A 9-year-old boy was stung by a stonefish while frolicking in shallow water on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast last Christmas, the Daily Mail Australia reported. Two of the spines pierced his foot and he was unable to walk for two days.

“If this happens, you must submerge the sting in hot water to draw the venom out immediately, as hot as you can stand it,” Kylie Stapleton posted on Facebook at the time, according to the Daily Mail Australia. “You must also call the ambulance immediately. I’m well aware we must share our water with the creatures that inhabit the ocean, this is a post to warn parents.

“These are dirty mongrel fish that can take a fully grown man down in pain. Just be cautious please.”

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Taylor.

Follow David Strege and the outdoors on Facebook.