Aquatic Antagonists: Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)

Fish infrequently are aggressive toward humans. Rare acts of aggression often appear to be accidental, in self-defense, or for territorial protection. Although uncommon, a number of fish-related injuries are noteworthy. For example, fishing-related injuries from fishhooks or filleting knives are fairly common. Fish spines can cause cutaneous reactions, related to penetrating wounds, foreign body reactions to retained spines, or reactions to envenomation through spines. Infections can further complicate these wounds, causing abscesses, cellulitis, bursitis, tenosynovitis, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, and necrotizing fasciitis.