Macha told me that he sighted a blue ringed octopus in Redang two weeks ago. Woww. Wished I had seen it.

For those newbies,the blue ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena sp) is a rare find but should be treated cautiously. It has a very potent neuromuscular toxin which HAS NO ANTIDOTE.

While resting, the Blue Ring Octopus is a pale brown to yellow colour. The blue rings on its body only "light up" as a warning when the animal feels threatened.


Symptoms
Initial bite may be painless

Within minutes
Onset of nausea. +/- vomiting
Hazy Vision.
Loss of sense of touch, speech and the ability to swallow.
Progressive painless paralysis and respiratory failure

First aid
1.   Immobilise the limb
2.   Apply pressure bandaging
3.   Lie the patient down
4.   If patient has developed paralysis and is not breathing then start mouth to mouth ventilation,  even if still breathing mustn’t be left alone. Someone must monitor breathing till reach the hospital
5.   Seek immediate hospital treatment

Note: Treatment is symptomatic i.e respiratory support till the venom wears off which is about 24 hours

SO YOUR BEST BET IS TO BE CAUTIOUS AND PREVENT YOURSELF FROM GETTING STUNG

Great one Doc Bones!!!

Thanks Bones for the education.

I read somewhere that the blue-ringed octopus is small, the size of a golf-ball. There are two types of poison that it secretes through its saliva from two different glands, one to immobilize its prey - crabs and shellfish, and the second one, which is lethal to humans, is the neuro-toxin that it uses against predators.

The octopus' small parrot-like beak is in the center where the tentacles meets its body, and it usually spreads its tentacles before striking. The warning sign is when it changes color from mottled grey-brown to bright yellow with electric blue rings. THE BEAK CAN PENETRATE THROUGH 3mm WETSUIT EASILY. Victims often don't realize that they have been bitten until they felt weak, numb and experience eyesight loss.

Nasty creature this, so avoid areas where it is sighted.

Thanks Bones for the education.
I read somewhere that the blue-ringed octopus is small, the size of a golf-ball. There are two types of poison that it secretes through its saliva from two different glands, one to immobilize its prey - crabs and shellfish, and the second one, which is lethal to humans, is the neuro-toxin that it uses against predators.
The octopus' small parrot-like beak is in the center where the tentacles meets its body, and it usually spreads its tentacles before striking. The warning sign is when it changes color from mottled grey-brown to bright yellow with electric blue rings. THE BEAK CAN PENETRATE THROUGH 3mm WETSUIT EASILY. Victims often don't realize that they have been bitten until they felt weak, numb and experience eyesight loss.
Nasty creature this, so avoid areas where it is sighted.

Thanks for the warning, IkanBilis.

Now, I know I will really have to steer clear of those nasty critters.

Damn, pretty but dangerous. Thanx for the info.