What dangers await inattentive divers in the coral reefs of the Red Sea

Diving is a favorite pastime of many tourists visiting the Red Sea. Coral reefs attract with their rainbow colors and exotic inhabitants, some of which may not be as friendly as they seem at first glance. Let's look at the most common dangerous creatures that live in the Red Sea and can meet you on underwater walks.

Surgeon fish

These cute fish live in many aquariums, but in the wild it is better not to meet them. Despite their small size, surgeon fish are dangerous predators and can even attack humans. They have blade-sharp fins, hence their name. In addition, the fins are equipped with poison so dangerous that contact with them can lead to serious injuries. Inexperienced divers can take the aggressive behavior of these fish for a harmless game and not even suspect how dangerous creatures swim around them.

Lionfish, or lion fish

Another beauty, which is better not to come close. These fish have long dorsal and pectoral fins in the form of rays, at the ends of which is poison. Lionfish with all their looks warn others: "Do not touch me!". They are non-aggressive and do not attack people, but divers can accidentally hurt them by negligence or when trying to stroke them. The result can be general poisoning of the body, convulsions, nausea and an allergic reaction up to anaphylactic shock.

Stone fish

These virtuoso camouflage artists are often shown at marine exhibits. In addition to the talent to merge with the surrounding reefs, this gloomy creature has dorsal fins equipped with poison. The spikes are very sharp and can easily pierce a suit and shoes. It is very difficult to notice the fish, so meetings occur mainly due to the carelessness of divers. An injection is perceived as a very severe pain. In case of contact with this fish, you should immediately seek medical help, since a fatal outcome in such cases is not uncommon.

Stingray

This fish is dangerous because of its tail, on the end of which there are thorns with poison. Stingrays themselves never attack humans first. And the use of a poisonous tail can be a protective reaction to the careless behavior of underwater tourists. The poison of the stingray causes severe pain, convulsions, and the spike often breaks off and remains in the body, so you should immediately seek medical help. The lethal outcome is extremely rare, but in 2006, the famous Australian naturalist and TV presenter Steve Irwin died from contact with a poisonous stingray.

Triggers: blue-feather balistode and yellow-faced pseudobalist

Large fish, from 50 to 70 cm long and weighing up to 10 kg. Danger to divers during the breeding season. Triggers become aggressive and protect their nests, which swimmers can inadvertently approach. These fish are not toxic, but the bite causes unpleasant pain.

Scorpion

It unites several species of one family living in the Red Sea, contact with which occurs most often through negligence. The fact is that they are excellent camouflagers and are able to lie still for hours, waiting for their victim. At the ends of the fins are poisonous needles. An injection causes severe pain that does not subside for a long time and can occur even after a few months.

Starfish crown of thorns

The danger is their thorns with poison, so you should be especially careful when exploring coral reefs or trying to pick up a piece of coral for memory. In addition to the acute pain and dizziness caused by the poison, fragments of the spikes of these reef inhabitants can get stuck in the body.

Fire coral

In fact, this is not coral, but an organism from the class of polymedes. It is strongly not recommended to touch these animals, as contact with them can lead to severe intoxication of the body. Their colonies are very extensive in the coral reefs of the Red Sea, and the corals themselves can have a different color. In addition to the predominant yellow-brown color, white, yellow, orange and purple species can be found.

Barracuda

In the Red Sea, eight species of these fish live, which grow up to 2 meters in length. These aggressive predators can also attack humans, although this most often occurs at dusk or in troubled waters. These fish can be attracted by scuba gear or bright, shiny elements of divers equipment. The result of a meeting with them can be lacerations and damage to blood vessels.

Sharks

In the photo: tiger shark

In the photo: gray rift shark

In the Red Sea, you can meet two species of these fish: a tiger shark and a gray reef shark. In both cases, you should not approach the predators, as well as try to photograph them, so as not to cause aggression.