Bass are popular freshwater game fish. While handling them, a common concern is their spines and potential for injury. Understanding the nature of bass spines and the appropriate response to a puncture wound is important for anglers.
Are Bass Spines Toxic?
Common freshwater bass species, such as Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Striped bass, are not venomous. Poisonous substances cause harm if ingested, while venomous substances are injected. Bass lack a venom-injecting mechanism. Pain from a bass spine puncture is primarily due to the mechanical injury, not a specific toxin produced by the fish.
Bass spines are bony structures that can inflict a sharp, painful wound. Unlike certain marine fish species, such as scorpionfish or weever fish, which possess venom glands, bass do not have these glands. Discomfort from a bass spine injury comes from the physical penetration of the skin and the potential introduction of bacteria from the fish’s surface or the aquatic environment.
What Happens After a Spine Puncture?
A bass spine puncture results in immediate, sharp, localized pain. The area may then exhibit redness, swelling, and minor bleeding. The primary concern is not toxicity, but the risk of secondary bacterial infection.
Fish, including bass, carry bacteria on their skin and in their slime, and these can be introduced into a puncture wound. A common bacterium associated with aquatic environments and fish injuries is Aeromonas hydrophila, which can cause serious infections in humans. Signs of a developing infection include increased pain, spreading redness, warmth around the wound, pus or drainage, and potentially fever. If a spine fragment breaks off and remains embedded in the tissue, it can also lead to inflammation and ongoing issues until removed.
Handling Spine Injuries and Prevention
For immediate care, thoroughly clean the wound with soap and running water. Apply pressure to stop bleeding, then use an antiseptic. Visible, superficial spine fragments can be carefully removed with tweezers, but deep or embedded fragments require medical extraction.
Seek medical attention if signs of infection appear, such as increased pain, spreading redness, swelling, pus, or fever. Professional help is also needed if the puncture is deep, a large spine fragment is embedded, or if the injured individual has underlying health conditions that might compromise their immune system. To prevent bass spine injuries, always handle fish carefully, consider wearing durable gloves, and use tools like fish grippers or pliers for hook removal, minimizing direct contact with the fish’s spiny fins.