baitfish stuck me with fin possibly stickleback, help me identify?

Question

I live in Charlotte Harbor Florida and last week I was getting bait and there was a different fish in with my greenbacks at the time I kind of wondered if it was a baby mackerel. When I picked it up one of its fins stuck my finger and it was painful kind of like getting catfish slime into a cut, and it lasted for about 15-20 minutes. Today I was getting bait at the same spot and I noticed I had another one stuck in the net, and I decided to get revenga, I grabbed the net just above the fish, and slammed him against the side of the boat a couple of times so that I could push him out without getting stuck, ironically it bounced, and hit one of my fingers ouch. But this time it wasn't near as painful, but still more painful than being stuck by a pinfish or other fish with spines. I tried to find something that looks like it on yahoo, and the closest thing I found is a sticklefish, I am pretty sure that is what it was, but I didn't see anything about them being painful when they stick you

Answer 1

There aren't any native sticklebacks that are supposed to range that far south, but I guess it's possible that some could have been released. They do have a painful dorsal ray, but I'm not aware of any toxins such as you would get from a catfish, and that sounds more like what you encountered.

One fish that might be more likely would be tadpole madtom (a type of catfish),and these are found in Florida, but they have a different appearance - they're broader than a stickleback would be.

A photo could have helped with identification, but it probably wasn't among your priorities at the moment.

Is there any more description you could add that may help (length, color, environment where found, single or double doral fins, flattened side-to side, etc.)?

Answer 2

Personally, I would think that ANYTHING that stuck you would be painful, especially if something on a fish. I would be sure to wash the stick holes out good and disinfect them to protect yourself from infection. And if you start showing any signs of infection, make sure you see your doctor right away. ;o)

PS: Please try not to do that anymore, pretty soon you'll be sprouting water out of you when you drink!! Seriously though, I hope you're ok. ;o)