Okinawa offers some of the best snorkeling and scuba-diving in the world. The ocean is filled with vast amounts of marine life only found here. With all recreational hobbies, there are hazards to be concerned with. Okinawa has much hazardous marine life, most of which is located in very shallow water.
Safety first or pay the worst – Image taken by Shannon Fox
Ways to avoid injury
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- Be respectful and avoid harassing, touching, and feeding marine life.
- Maintain good buoyancy control
- Recognize warning signs of aggression
- Avoid wearing shiny jewelry
- Wear exposure protection
The Lionfish is beautiful but a hazardous fish. The spines deliver a painful sting with potent venom injected into the body. The Lionfish is native to this region, so there is no need to try to kill it.
- First aid: Wash the area with soap and fresh water. Remove foreign material and control any bleeding. Soak the limb in hot water (113 F / 45 C) or use hot packs. Seek immediate medical treatment.
Lionfish ( Pterois volitans) © Shawn Miller
Most sea urchin injuries are due to people accidentally stepping on them in the shallow surf. Wearing proper footwear decreases your chances of getting injured.
- First aid: Remove visible spines. Wash with soap and water. Pain control if needed-hot water (113 F / 45 C) or use hot packs. Seek medical treatment if spines have entered the joints.
The Diadema urchin (Echinothrix diadema) © Shawn Miller
Moray eels deliver a vicious bite with razor-sharp teeth. In some cases, the eels latch on and do not let go. Avoid placing hands into holes and feeding the eels.
- First aid: Control the bleeding and seek medical treatment. Monitor for signs of infection
Moray eel -Gymnothorax flavimarginatus © Shawn Miller
The crown of thorn starfish has sharply pointed spines that deliver a painful sting. The spines inject venom, which causes extreme pain, discomfort, and possible nausea. Most injuries occur because divers are cutting up the starfish with a dive knife and a spine accidentally penetrates the hand. The starfish has a purpose in the ecosystem, so leave it alone.
- First aid: Remove visible spines. Wash with soap and water. Pain control if needed-hot water (113 F / 45 C) or use hot packs. Seek medical treatment if spines have entered the joints.
The crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci © Shawn Miller
Coral moderators – COT’S © Shawn Miller
The blue-ringed octopus is one of the most beautiful marine animals. It is only the size of a golf ball but is extremely venomous if bitten. Avoid picking up this shallow-water octopus.
- First aid: Wash the area with soap and fresh water. Apply pressure and limit your movement. Immediate medical treatment. Monitor ABC’s
Blue Ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata) © Shawn Miller
Fire coral are calcareous hydrozoans that deliver a painful sting. Avoid touching or rubbing against it.
- First aid: Rinse with vinegar. Remove foreign matter. Wash area with salt water. Pain control if needed-hot water (113 F / 45 C) or use hot packs.Seek medical treatment if infection occurs.
Fire coral ( Millepora sp) © Shawn Miller
Fire coral ( Millepora sp) © Shawn Miller
Fire coral nematocysts © Shawn Miller
The reef stonefish is the most venomous fish found in Okinawa. It is truly a master of camouflage. The Stonefish resembles a rock blending into the coral reef. The spines deliver a painful sting with potent venom injected into the body
- First aid: Wash the area with soap and fresh water. Remove foreign material and control any bleeding. Soak limb in hot water (113 F / 45 C) or use hot packs. Seek immediate medical treatment immediately.
Stone-zilla -huge stonefish © Shawn Miller
Reef stonefish ( synanceia verrucosa ) © Shawn Miller
The reef stonefish buried under the sand!
Reef stonefish ( synanceia verrucosa ) Sand dweller © Shawn Miller
Cone shells are sought after by many shell collectors for their beauty. The marine snail injects potent venom with a harpoon-shaped tooth.
- First aid: Wash the area with soap and fresh water. Apply pressure and limit your movement. Immediate medical treatment. Monitor ABC’s
Princely cone hunting – Proboscis out © Shawn Miller
Geographic cone (Gastridium geographus) © Shawn Miller
Textile cone shell (Cylindrus textile textile) © Shawn Miller
Darioconus omaria © Shawn Miller
The most dangerous cone shells of Okinawa are found in shallow water
Venomous cones shells of Okinawa © Shawn Miller
The scorpion fish is another master of camouflage. The spines deliver a painful sting with strong venom injected into the body. These fish usually warn you of their presence by flaring out their fins and spines.
- First aid: Wash the area with soap and fresh water. Remove foreign material and control any bleeding. Soak limb in hot water (113 F / 45 C) or use hot packs. Seek immediate medical treatment.
Reef Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis Cirrhosa) © Shawn Miller
Stinging hydroids (fireweeds) are common in Okinawa. They are all avoidable as long as you do not touch or rub up against any. The hydroids deliver a painful sting.
- First aid: Rinse with vinegar. Remove foreign matter. Wash area with salt water. Pain control if needed-hot water (113 F / 45 C) or use hot packs. Seek medical treatment if an infection occurs.
Stinging Hydroid (Aglaophenia cupressina) © Shawn Miller
An injury caused by fireweed. This photograph was taken three weeks after the painful sting.
Hydroid sting © Mark Kane
Sea snakes will not harm you unless provoked. I have never heard of any divers being bitten in Okinawa. Rare cases have occurred with fisherman removing their catch from nets, and they were bitten on the hand.
- First aid: Wash the area with soap and fresh water. Apply pressure and limit your movement. Immediate medical treatment. Monitor ABC’s
Turtle head sea snake (Emydocephalus ijimae) © Shawn Miller
Blue banded sea snake (Laticauda colubrina) © Shawn Miller
The Leaf Scorpionfish is a venomous fish found on the reef. It resembles a leaf and blends in with debris very well. The spines deliver a painful sting.
- First aid: Wash the area with soap and fresh water. Remove foreign material and control any bleeding. Soak the limb in hot water (113 F / 45 C) or use hot packs. Seek immediate medical treatment
Scorpion Leaf fish © Shawn Miller
The cockatoo wasp fish is a venomous fish found in shallow water. It resembles a leaf and blends in with debris very well. The spines deliver a painful sting.
- First aid: Wash the area with soap and fresh water. Remove foreign material and control any bleeding. Soak the limb in hot water (113 F / 45 C) or use hot packs. Seek immediate medical treatment.
Cockatoo waspfish (Ablabys taenianotus) © Shawn Miller
The fire urchin is the most beautiful sea urchin found in Okinawa. Its beautiful colors attract divers to pick it up. The spines inject venom, which causes extreme pain and discomfort.
- First aid: Remove visible spines. Wash with soap and water. Pain control if needed-hot water (113 F / 45 C) or use hot packs. Seek medical treatment if spines have entered the joints.
Fire urchin (Asthenosoma ijimai) © Shawn Miller
Porcupine fire sea urchin (Platybrissus roemeri) © Shawn Miller
The flower urchin is the most venomous sea urchin found in the world. It is a collector urchin, often using rocks or dead coral to cover itself.
- First aid: Remove foreign matter. Wash with soap and water. Pain control if needed-hot water (113 F / 45 C) or use hot packs. Seek medical treatment
Flower urchin (Toxopneustes pileolus) © Shawn Miller
The pedicellariae inject venom, not the spines. It’s excruciating and irritating.
Flower urchin (Toxopneustes pileolus) © Shawn Miller
” Ball of spines” The burrowing urchin is an abundant echinoderm found here. Most injuries occur reef walking without proper foot protection. The sharp spines are painful and irritate the skin.
Burrowing sea urchin (Echinometra mathaei) © Shawn Miller
The bristle worm is also known as the fireworm. It delivers a powerful sting when threatened. The bristle-like spines inject venom, which causes extreme pain and discomfort.
- First aid: Remove bristles using tape. Wash with soap and fresh water. Seek medical treatment if needed. Monitor signs of infection
Bristle worm (Chloeis sp) © Shawn Miller
Common fire-worm (Eurythoe complanata) © Shawn Miller
The eel tail catfish is a venomous saltwater fish found in shallow water. They usually travel in large numbers at night. The spines deliver a painful sting.
- First aid: Wash the area with soap and fresh water. Remove foreign material and control any bleeding. Soak the limb in hot water (113 F / 45 C) or use hot packs. Seek immediate medical treatment.
Eeltail catfish (Plotosus japonicus ) © Shawn Miller
Sea anemones deliver a painful sting with venomous tentacles. Below is a photograph of the vicious predator Dofleinia armata. I had these anemones in my aquarium for three years. I have seen them feeding on lionfish, scorpion fish, and venomous cone snails.
- First aid: Rinse with vinegar. Remove tentacles with tweezers—Wash the area with salt water. Pain control if needed-hot water (113 F / 45 C) or use hot packs. Seek medical treatment if infection occurs.
Sea anenome (Dofleinia armata) © Shawn Miller
Branching anemone – Motobu, Okinawa © Shawn Miller
Branching anemones are found living in the sand. They deliver a nasty sting! I have personally experienced its painful sting.
Branching Anemone © Shawn Miller
The false stonefish ( Scorpaenopsis diabolus) is another master of camouflage. The spines deliver a painful sting with potent venom injected into the body. These fish usually warn you of their presence by flaring out their fins and spines.
- First aid: Wash the area with soap and fresh water. Remove foreign material and control any bleeding. Soak the limb in hot water (113 F / 45 C) or use hot packs. Seek immediate medical treatment.
False stonefish © Shawn Miller
Stingrays are found in sandy areas near coral reefs. They have a serrated barb located at the base of the tail. Keep your distance to avoid any injuries!
- First aid: Wash the area with soap and fresh water. Control the bleeding. If the barb is lodged in the body, do not remove it. Soak the limb in hot water (113 F / 45 C) or use hot packs. Seek immediate medical treatment! May require surgery to remove the barb.
Bluespotted stingray (Neotrygon kuhlii) © Shawn Miller
Spiny Devilfish ( Inimicus didactylus ) is a shallow water sand dweller. The spines deliver a painful sting with potent venom injected into the body. These fish usually warn you of their presence by flaring out their fins and spines.
- First aid: Wash the area with soap and fresh water. Remove foreign material and control any bleeding. Soak the limb in hot water (113 F / 45 C) or use hot packs. Seek immediate medical treatment.
Spiny Devilfish © Shawn Miller
The titan triggerfish is the most aggressive fish I have encountered. It is territorial and will guard its nest aggressively. Attacks can be severe, leaving wounds requiring stitches. On several occasions, I pointed a dive light in their direction, and it scared them off. They do not like the directional light for some reason.
- First aid: Control the bleeding and seek medical treatment. Monitor for signs of infection
Balistoides viridescens, Titan triggerfish © Shawn Miller
Titan trigger fish bite – Photo by Daisuke Uruchida
The black-spot triggerfish have threatened me on many occasions. It is smaller than the titan triggerfish but more aggressive. They usually will bite at the fins first.
Blackspot triggerfish © Shawn Miller
Barnacles do not bite, but they sure are sharp! These barnacles have cut me on a few occasions. The tides can drop significantly, leaving rocks and barnacles exposed. Injury can be avoided by simply wearing exposure protection.
- First aid: Wash the area with soap and fresh water. Remove foreign material and control any bleeding. Monitor for signs of infection.
Barnacles © Shawn Miller
The needlefish is a very dangerous fish found in shallow water. They have narrow beaks with razor-sharp teeth used to catch prey. These needle-shaped fish can swim fast and jump out of the water. There have been cases of swimmers getting injured from impalement. Avoid shining your dive light on the surface of the water (where the water surface and air meet) during the night for an extended period.
- First aid: Control the bleeding; if the fish is lodged in the body, leave it and seek medical treatment. Monitor for signs of infection
Needle-fish © Shawn Miller
Needle-fish- Sharp teeth © Shawn Miller
The coral rabbitfish is a sought-after fish in Okinawa. Fishermen and free divers often get injured handling this venomous fish. The spines deliver a painful sting.
- First aid: Wash the area with soap and fresh water. Remove foreign material and control any bleeding. Soak the limb in hot water (113 F / 45 C) or use hot packs. Seek immediate medical treatment.
Coral Rabbitfish spines © Shawn Mille
Coral Rabbitfish (Siganus corallines) © Shawn Miller
Another popular fish with the Okinawan fisherman is the Surgeonfish. The Orange spine unicorn has a razor-sharp fin used for defense. Avoid handling this fish by the tail.
Dangerous surgeonfish © Shawn Miller
The Box Jellyfish is the most dangerous jellyfish found in the ocean. It delivers an unbearable sting with its venomous tentacles. These stings require immediate treatment and can be life-threatening.
- First aid: Rinse with vinegar. Remove tentacles with tweezers—Wash the area with salt water. Pain control if needed-hot water (113 F / 45 C) or use hot packs. Seek medical treatment immediately.
Box Jellyfish -Habukurage © Shawn Miller
Box Jellyfish ( Chironex yamaguchii ) under blue light © Shawn Miller
The man of war ( AKA Blue bottle jellyfish) is commonly seen during winter. I often find them washed ashore on local beaches. The tentacles deliver a painful sting.
- First aid: Remove tentacles with tweezers—Wash the area with salt water. Pain control if needed-hot water (113 F / 45 C) or use hot packs. If symptoms get worse, Seek medical treatment.
Blue bottle
Mission
To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands
This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically to serve as an online nature reference guide. Please click on the donation link below if you would like to contribute to support my mission.
Your donations will help worldwide conservation initiatives and bring solutions to the pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines. Thank you for your support. Shawn M Miller.
