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Question: Arel fish fins sharp?

(Posted by: Ricky Pavey on 2010-07-28 15:23:11)

I was fishing with my moms boyfriend today and he told me to be carefull when i take the fish off the hook because the fins will cut me. Is this for all fish?

Posted by: jonal on 2010-07-28, 19:49:56

Some fiish have fins which are fairly soft but fins are for a purpose and most fins, especially dorsal fins, have strength and sharp edges. Many have spines that can cut through skin with ease. Some like the stonefish can kill with long hard spines that will cut through flip-flops, and even small fish like the weaver fish can inflict a nasty injury. Handle all fish with care and handle with care too the sharp hook that you may be wrestling with as a fish jumps and shudders on the river bank or pier or boat. You won't meet a stonefish in the USA or in Europe. Here is the weaver fish. There are many species. This is in UK but the USA and many other countries also has weaver fish. bbc.co.uk/ wales/ surfing/ sites/ features/ pages/ marine_life.shtml . . . . . The stone fish lays half buried in the sand or amongst the rocks looking like a stone. It is found in warm waters and is commonest in Asia and Australasia and in the Arabian Gulf. In deep waters it is safe for all but divers but in shallow water with people paddling barefoot it is deadly...the deadliest fish in the world....with a row of spines in it's dorsal fin that can kill a shark. mbgnet.net/ salt/ coral/ animals/ stone.html . . . . . arabianwildlife.uaeinteract.com/ archive/ vol2.1/ stone.htm . . . . . . library.thinkquest.org/ C007974/ 2_1sto.htm . . . . . Be very careful with all fish. Any fish you catch might not be a native species but a visitor as with birds, even a rare visitor. Take special care with any fish that you don't recognise.

Posted by: Hazel H on 2010-07-28, 16:15:01

All fish have fins. All fins are sharp. Fins will prick, stab, and cut. However, I "d be more careful with the hook; especially if it's one with barbs. A hook will prick, stab, and cut you also, but if it goes deep enough, you may have to shove it further into the wound, clip the barb off, and reverse the hook out. Major injury. Be careful of both. Have fun fishing.

Posted by: buckfever on 2010-07-28, 16:58:36

Many of the fish that you will catch from the shore or the dock have large spiny dorsal fins. All you have to do is know how to handle the fish and there is no need for fear. Bluegills, sunfish, etc all will want to stretch up their top fin when you pull them out of the water; simply smooth the fin back before holding the fish in your hand. Then gently remove the hook and you are both ready to see another beautiful day! If you do get poked (as we all have), its no big deal. It doesn't hurt that much, wash it out with soap and water and get back to the fishing!

Posted by: winkydink on 2010-07-29, 19:03:29

Ricky- This question has been asked, and incorrectly answered before, to specifically answer your question. fins can puncture, not as much cut you. Gill plates can be sharp and cut, and gill rakes...well they can be just like sharp teeth. all fish DO NOT have spines, and those that do, some are spiny and some are soft, and some have a combination of the two, if they do, then the spines are ALWAYS anterior.