Catfish Sting

1. First Aid Essentials Slideshow Pictures
2. First Aid Bandaging Injuries Slideshow Pictures
3. First Aid Sprains & Strains Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM

Medical Editor:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

View Full Profile

• Catfish Sting Overview
• Catfish Sting Symptoms
• Catfish Sting Treatment
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Catfish Pictures
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Author and Editor

Catfish are a distinctive type of fish that have whiskers protruding from the area around the mouth. They also have external spines near their fins. Catfish are often found in muddy rivers, lakes, and on beaches in tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters. These fish are not aggressive. People stung by catfish are usually fishing or bathing when they make contact with a catfish, usually by stepping on it or handling the fish after it has been caught. Both salt- and fresh-water catfish are dangerous. Each has three spines and a stinging apparatus.