View Full Version : Sea Goblin
Had the LFS special order me a Sea Goblin. Haven't picked it up yet, but today I read that they are fatally poisonous. Is this true?
Some are highly venomous yes. Not sure about them all.
Reefscape
08-18-2007, 6:43 AM
the vast majority of these are either sold as pop-eye goblins or bearded goul..and yes, the sting from one of these fish can kill a human...very very potent and best left out in the ocean....
Niko
Well, they special ordered it for me and drove all the way to pick it up from a special wholesaler, and it's $70 so I don't know how well they'd be able to sell it to someone else, so I guess I'm kind of obligated to take it. I'll just be very careful.
sharkmatt
08-18-2007, 9:26 AM
Well, they special ordered it for me and drove all the way to pick it up from a special wholesaler, and it's $70 so I don't know how well they'd be able to sell it to someone else, so I guess I'm kind of obligated to take it. I'll just be very careful.
I'd be getting me some VERY thick aquarium gloves! :eek3:
Kodiak
08-18-2007, 10:24 AM
I'd be getting me some VERY thick aquarium gloves! :eek3:
I'd be using some chain mail gloves on that, dont think its worth risking death over a fish :headshake2:
I'll test out my aquarium gloves. Dangle them and have him prick them and see if it penetrates.
I'll be making a strict, no hands in the water rule.
It's not worth risking death over a fish but I worked at this fish store for a year and they get mad every time I return something or change my mind...
Kodiak
08-18-2007, 10:37 AM
ya i know what you mean, you wouldnt want to re-nig on an order, just be careful.
post some pics when you get him in
tankanator
08-18-2007, 10:38 AM
Wow good luck, I would definitely get very thick rubber gloves.
The guy at the LFS, probably the smartest guy there... he majored in biology or something in college... he said yes it can kill you but a lion fish can also kill you and the chances of death are possible but not likely. He said the venom in these IS more potent than the venom in lionfish, but if I got stung it'd most likely just mean a hospital visit.
sharkmatt
08-18-2007, 12:12 PM
Get him to prick you and let us know the results, purely for our amusement you understand lol :) Only jokin, i'd still be very careful around him. He might not be straight up deadly but if you get stung with no-one around or you're allergic to it, you could be in big trouble. Take Care.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j208/luvluvluvluvluv/goblin4.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j208/luvluvluvluvluv/goblin5.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j208/luvluvluvluvluv/goblin.jpg
sharkmatt
08-18-2007, 12:18 PM
Nice fish.
saltydunc
08-18-2007, 12:27 PM
nice fish there mate.....better you than me though......think i'll stick to tangs better life expectancy lol
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j208/luvluvluvluvluv/goblin3.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j208/luvluvluvluvluv/goblin2.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j208/luvluvluvluvluv/goblin6.jpg
BadRoma1
08-18-2007, 12:37 PM
it is a sea goblin allright. i never heard of their poison, but the spines are down right nasty and all over the place. they are not reef safe as far as I know, though, but it's too late, there he is, hanging out in your tank. cool fish, but kinda freaky looking. keep us updated
tankanator
08-18-2007, 12:40 PM
What did they put him in? they would puncture holes in a regular bag. But nice fish.
joander123
08-18-2007, 12:41 PM
its stronger than a lionfish for sure. Lionfish will still sting, but the only way i think it could really ever be life threating is if you were allergic, kind of like a bee sting.
Cool fish, be careful =).
I don't have any shrimp or anything in my tank, just an angler and an eel. They doublebagged him in plastic bags, no problems.
Reefscape
08-18-2007, 12:53 PM
Great looking fish Liz...and to be honest, i would not care what a shop owner would say about the sting...its nasty and potentially fatal....and that aint no risk worth takin....lol..
Good luck, hope it settles in well..
Niko
I wouldn't have had them order it if I had known it was venomous. But since they ordered it, I kind of felt obligated to take it. I don't mind though, I'll just be very careful.
joander123
08-18-2007, 1:16 PM
lesson learned, do research first =).
But not a big deal really, as long as you are careful. I believe that also if it is stressed or dies, it lets of a toxin into the water, like nudibranches do sometimes, am i correct?
I did research first. The only page I found that refers to keeping them in aquariums was on liveaquaria.com and it didn't mention venom.
I still haven't found any pages on keeping them in captivity. The only way I found out they were venomous was by looking at wild species logs or whatever.
I always do research first.
I don't know if it releases its venom into the water if it dies. I know cowfish do, but that might only be because they can release toxins into the water column if they feel threatened. Since the sea goblin doesn't release venom into the water column, I kind of doubt that it would if it died. Their method of venom delivery is similar to that of lionfish I believe. Do lionfish release toxins/venom into the water column when they die?
Personally I'd have risked the LFS being ticked at me and passed. Just be really careful please.
SHK_ATK
08-18-2007, 4:16 PM
Are you kidding me? thats a bad A!1 looking fish!! ? Id keep him:headbang2: :headbang2: :headbang2: what are you feeding it? what do you feed you angler? Now im going to research him ill let you know if i find something intresting.
I feed the angler ghost shrimp, I've got some green chromis and ghost shrimp in there for the sea goblin too. He isn't eating yet, he only came in to the lfs yesterday. They said it shouldn't be a problem though, that he should be eating fine in a couple of days.
video of my angler eating here:
http://www.zippyvideos.com/2854641797063026/mov00257/
Riverserver
08-18-2007, 5:18 PM
Do lionfish release toxins/venom into the water column when they die?
No, they don't. They have to sting you which is why they are venomous and not poisonous, venom has to be injected or ingested. Your Sea Goblin won't attack you like you think it will. People that get stung by them usually step on them in the wild.
Are you packing your ghost shrimp with anything? Before I feed them to my lion I inject them with Vita-Chem using a syringe.
How often are you feeding your angler? You know overfeeding is the #1 reason scorpion fish die in the aquarium.
its stronger than a lionfish for sure. Lionfish will still sting, but the only way i think it could really ever be life threating is if you were allergic, kind of like a bee sting.
I've heard someone describe being stung 6 times by his full grown lion as being poked with a pin in the arm very lightly but having the pain intensify to the point that it feels like they're rods stuck through your arm that are expanding in size tearing your flesh. He said the only thing he could do was lay on the floor screaming and crying. He was not allergic to bees, or had any known allergies at the time.
joander123
08-18-2007, 6:05 PM
yes, at first it tingles then it intensifies. I have been stung by a volitian before, and its not fun takes a few days to go away. But the sting isnt as bad as a sea goblin is said to be, and i wouldnt call it life threatening as long as your not allergic.
Either way, if you get stung run it under warm warder, or you can use a half baking soda half warm water solution and it should help right away. Not sure on the sea goblin but that is recommended for lions.
SHK_ATK
08-18-2007, 7:29 PM
yes, at first it tingles then it intensifies. I have been stung by a volitian before, and its not fun takes a few days to go away. But the sting isnt as bad as a sea goblin is said to be, and i wouldnt call it life threatening as long as your not allergic.
Either way, if you get stung run it under warm warder, or you can use a half baking soda half warm water solution and it should help right away. Not sure on the sea goblin but that is recommended for lions.
on a scale of one to ten, ten being the highest. What would you say the stung felt like at its peak??
trainedkilla
08-18-2007, 7:58 PM
That is an awesome fish!!! Badass! I like it! Let us know when he starts eating! :)
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j208/luvluvluvluvluv/poopgone.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j208/luvluvluvluvluv/poopgone2.jpg
:(
He seemed invincible or something
I can't believe he's dead
I'm crying
I want to take an icepick and stab the **** out of that stupid sea goblin and leave it on the doorstep of the lfs
Reefscape
08-19-2007, 7:53 AM
Liz...do yourself a great big favour and take the Goblin back to the shop...get rid of it please....species like this should only be out in the ocean as i have said before you collected the fish....The fish is only doing what it does best, and that is to kill for food...its only a natural instinct
Niko
Blueiz
08-19-2007, 7:55 AM
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j208/luvluvluvluvluv/poopgone.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j208/luvluvluvluvluv/poopgone2.jpg
:(
He seemed invincible or something
I can't believe he's dead
I'm crying
I want to take an icepick and stab the **** out of that stupid sea goblin and leave it on the doorstep of the lfs
This iis why research should be done on fish before you purchase them, expecially on fish that pet shps normally dont carry.
Sorry for your loss, however the new fish is not to blame.
Blue
There isn't much research to be done. There isn't much information on them being kept in captivity. I read a post from a guy keeping one in his angler tank and he didn't seem to indicate that there was any problem so I assumed it would be okay. That's the only information I've found regarding keeping sea goblins with other fish. Liveaquaria.com didn't say anything about them being housed alone. Don't tell me to do my research because I did.
I don't know if the LFS will take him back, and I'm not sure I want to take him back. I mean as upset as I am about it killing my angler, it makes me respect this fish more.
I don't know if I can net him, when they were netting him for me at the lfs he was very tricky to net, plus there's the row of poisonous spines on its back. It would be easier to just icepick him.
Reefscape
08-19-2007, 8:14 AM
There isn't much research to be done. There isn't much information on them being kept in captivity
With all due respect Liz, yes, there is....If you see something that you want to buy, and "when" you try to do research on it, come up trumps with none or very little info, that should be your indication that its something that is seldom kept in captivity. And you have to ask yourself why its seldom kept in captivity..
I don't know if the LFS will take him back, and I'm not sure I want to take him back. I mean as upset as I am about it killing my angler, it makes me respect this fish more.
Its just killed one of your great fish, and your not sure that you want to take him back? i am at a loss to the train of thought there i am afraid...
It would be easier to just icepick him.
Ohhhh k......
trainedkilla
08-19-2007, 8:32 AM
Is he showing aggressive behavior toward anything else?
I still like the fish. There are probably alot of hobbyist out there that do but the lack of information scares them away from it. I would like to have one but I am curious as to what he is compatible with. I would think a large lion and some triggers would be good. Does anyone know the hunting habits of this fish? How does he hunt in the wild?
He looks like a rock and he lies there and waits for food to happen to swim by. He's not aggressive, he uses his venom for defense I believe. That's what the bright yellow on his fins is for, he flashes that when he feels threatened to show that he is venomous.
atnixon, how about you come over and try to net him and go to the hospital for me.
All I read before I inquired about him at the LFS me was the liveaquaria.com page, which didn't mention anything about venom or being incompatable with fish. When I asked them to order him, they said none were available from their wholesaler but that they would try to get me one. Weeks passed, and when I asked about him, they didn't seem to be trying to get him, so I didn't bother doing any research because I didn't think they could get him for me. Then I went in one day and he was there.
That is why I didn't research properly. I didn't think they would be getting him for me. I pretty much gave up on the idea after a while and then boom he was there and I felt obligated to take him.
It was just a bad... situation. Coincidence. Poor communication. misleading information. I don't think I did anything wrong, because I wasn't expecting them to actually order one for me. It didn't seem like a reality. So I didn't bother researching. And I guess I assumed if there was anything fatal or dangerous about the fish that it liveaquaria.com would have mentioned it, they give you all sorts of information about the fish there.
Reefscape
08-19-2007, 8:36 AM
Bearded ghoul - Inimicus didactylus
FAMILY
Synanceiidae
TAXONOMY
Inimicus didactylus Pallas, 1769, Indian Ocean.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Demon stinger, popeyed sea goblin, spiny devilfish; Japanese: Hime-oniokoze.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Grows to 7.9 in (20 cm) maximum length. The bearded ghoul is best recognized by the shape of its head and its elongate pectoral fins, which it uses for crawling along the bottom. This species can be distinguished by the pattern on the medial surface of its pectoral fin, which has a broad, dark, transverse bar that may be streaked.
DISTRIBUTION
Distributed from southern Japan and Indonesia to Australia, the Solomon Islands, and New Caledonia.
HABITAT
A benthic species found on open sandy or silty bottoms, particularly in estuaries, lagoons, and seaward reefs.
BEHAVIOR
A particularly venomous species that is capable of killing a human. Like most stonefishes, this species is a lie-and-wait predator that relies on its cryptic coloration and body form to surprise prey.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Feeds primarily on crustaceans, but small fishes also are preyed upon.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Little is known about the reproductive biology of this species.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not listed by the IUCN.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Because of its small size, this species is not fished commercially; however, despite the fact that these fishes are highly venomous, they are collected occasionally for the aquarium trade, where they are sold as "popeyed sea goblins."
read my modified post, atnixon. I didn't think they would be able to order him in for me, they kind of suggested that they couldn't and seemed to forget about it, so I didn't bother researching.
On liveaquaria, on the lionfish, on the basic stats it says "caution: venomous". There is no such statement on the sea goblin page.
No point in posting that information either, I read that before I took him home. But like I said, I felt obligated.
rbishop
08-19-2007, 8:56 AM
:lipssealedsmilie:
trainedkilla
08-19-2007, 9:01 AM
I just did a little research and everyone that i found that has had one complains that they are not good eaters and spend 99% of the time buried in the sand.
No one really talked about them being overly hostile toward tankmates. They will however, eat anything that can fit in its mouth.
I like the fish but would not keep them because a fish that large digging in my substrate is not ideal! :) Cool looking fish nevertheless.
sharkmatt
08-19-2007, 9:45 AM
This is a prime example of relying too heavily on one source of information. Fishbase has a profile for this fish that states it can be deadly to humans and also provides some other info on the species. I also found the following links that both state it is venomous by doing a simple google search for the latin name:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Inimicus_didactylus.html
http://www.scuba-equipment-usa.com/marine/AUG05/Spiny_Devilfish(Inimicus_didactylus).html
You should have fully researched the fish before you even thought of ordering it in the first place, not ordered it and then researched.
Blueiz
08-19-2007, 11:23 AM
Thread closed.
Lesson learned, research BEFORE buying a fish. Expecialy a fish that has to be special ordered.
Blue