Synodontis fin spine toxins??
Posted: 16 Feb 2010, 13:05
Hi- I've found conflicting information on the internet regarding Synodontis and their dorsal/pectoral fin spines. I was under the impression that they did have poisonous spines, although a few web hits suggested that they weren't, so I'd be interested if anyone can help
(apologies if there's an old thread I've missed- the only hit I could find was this thread:
http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... 5&p=107679). (Firefox/phpp will probably screw that link up- not sure how to fix them). (Edit- for once, Firefox didn't break that link)
1. is there a toxic agent involved, and if so do all species have poisonous spines (as far as we know)? I'd be surprised if it's just infection as most people report that the pain is almost instantaneous.
2. assuming the answer to 1 is "yes", is it just the pectoral spines that carry a toxin?
3. again assuming there is a toxin, are the toxins different in different species? If they're different, are the toxins similar compounds in related species?
(apologies if there's an old thread I've missed- the only hit I could find was this thread:
http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... 5&p=107679). (Firefox/phpp will probably screw that link up- not sure how to fix them). (Edit- for once, Firefox didn't break that link)
1. is there a toxic agent involved, and if so do all species have poisonous spines (as far as we know)? I'd be surprised if it's just infection as most people report that the pain is almost instantaneous.
2. assuming the answer to 1 is "yes", is it just the pectoral spines that carry a toxin?
3. again assuming there is a toxin, are the toxins different in different species? If they're different, are the toxins similar compounds in related species?
