Hot, Hot, Hot!
The weather is not the only thing in Florida that is hot. Fire Coral (Millepora) is a colonial marine cnidarian that can cause burning skin reactions. Fire corals are usually yellow-green or brown with a branching formation. They can colonize hard structures like rocks, dead corals, and other objects. Fire corals are not true corals because they are hydrozoans. Fire coral-related incidents are common with scuba divers. Fire coral lives in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. When a person comes in contact with a fire coral it will cause a mild to moderate burning sensation because there are cnidocytes embedded in the calcareous skeleton. The cnidocytes have nematocysts that release venom when touched. Injuries are often avoidable and can be treated. Fire Coral Link
Fire Coral Photo by Mackenzie Briggs. Taken on GoPro Hero 10.
Contact with fire coral can cause a burning sensation that could last hours, and a rash will appear in a few minutes or hours after contact. Some rashes may take many days to heal, and this depends on the person’s susceptibility and area of the injury. Fire coral lacerations are the most problematic and could result in internal envenomation. Venom from the Millepora could cause tissue necrosis on the edges of a wound and injuries that are severe and need to be monitored. First aid for fire coral injuries includes rinsing the area with vinegar, removing any spines, keeping the area dry and clean, and antibiotics for more serious wounds. If a person has an open wound, it is important to seek medical attention. Sometimes these injuries could come back after a week or two and should be monitored. The threat of fire corals should not cause you to not dive, a person must just be more careful when diving, and treat all injuries appropriately.
The Florida Keys are home to many beautiful and different coral reefs. The Keys is a more tropical area with warm water. These reefs have many varied species of corals including but not limited to Brain Coral, Mustard Hill Coral, Finger Coral, and other species. Corals are important to The Keys because they provide food and shelter for many forms of marine life, protect coastlines from storms, protect from erosion, and provide jobs for local communities. Coral reefs are also used recreationally as snorkeling and diving destinations. Coral reefs are beautiful and are admired across the globe, but it important to do whatever it takes to protect them. Coral Reef Link
Hens and Chickens Reef GoPro photo by Mackenzie Briggs
hello Mackenzie, I was very interested about the different things that you discussed about fire coral. Despite me having been to the Florida Keys many times throughout my life and have gone snorkeling just about every time that I have, I do not think that I have ever actually seen fire coral. While this is most likely a good thing, as I do not want to learn what it feels like to touch it, I still wish I could see it in person and in the wild at some point just to know what it looks like in its natural habitat. Despite it not being something that I would not want to touch, I am still also curious as to what it would feel like if it were to touch me and see if the pain is as bad as many people say that it is.
ReplyDeleteLooking back on the trip i think that its very appropriate that this topic was covered by at least one student as someone had an accident with some at Sombrero Beach. Luckily as you stated these run ins are, although painful, nonlethal to the victim. i do think its interesting that fire coral shares a very similar toxin delivery system as jellyfish.
ReplyDeleteI liked reading your blog because it allowed to me learn more about fire coral. I know we talked about it briefly in class but reading this gave me more insight. I was lucky to not have come into contact with it unlike some of my classmates. I never knew that the burning sensation could last for hours. I did not know that rashes left from fire coral could take a couple of days to heal. I like how you provided treatment options to help fight against the burns of fire coral. In addition, I liked how you noted that fire coral should not cause people to not want to dive but instead to just pay more attention. I think after reading your blog that beginner divers/snorkelers should try not to make contact with coral reefs to avoid interacting with fire coral.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't aware that fire coral wasn't a real coral, but instead a hydrozoan. I always seem to forget that corals and sponges are both animals for some reason. I guess when I was younger I always thought of them as nonliving, so it's hard for me to remember without thinking about it that they are not only living, but also animals rather than plants. I find it so cool when stationary living things have a defense mechanism. Usually, when I think of species that do this, I think of plants like poison ivy, for example. For that reason, I find it really interesting that stationary animals can defend themselves too. Just by looking at coral, I wouldn't think it could be capable of causing so much physical pain or damage to a person, so it's good to be reminded of that!
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