A stone fish scare has emerged in Sri Lanka and sea users have been cautioned to wear slippers when wading into the water for whatever the purpose may be, local media reported on Wednesday.
The reports quoted experts as saying that the poisonous fish identified as ‘Gonmaha-Stone Fish’ has been on a slight increase in the island’s waters and that several persons had sought medical treatment after treading on this fish species, the reports quoted Parasitology Department Senior Lecturer Dr. Janaka Ruben as saying.
This most widespread stonefish is found on sandy or rubble areas of reef flats and shallow lagoons and in small pools during low tide, well camouflaged among the substrate and sometimes even covered with algae due to the slow movement of this aquatic animal.
Dr. Reuben says that this stonefish roams in the sea in many parts of Sri Lanka and can be found in many other countries, such as Australia, Indonesia and India.
As usual, these fishes come close to the shore for breeding purposes, Dr. Reuben was quoted as saying in the reports.
Therefore, he cautioned people when bathing in the sea these days and while walking barefooted on the sandy beaches.
