RAYONG – The Department of Fisheries warns the public of venomous blue-ringed octopus again after it was found mingling with other types of octopus at a seafood stall in Rayong province.
The rare blue-ringed octopus can be found in both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. It is approximately 4-centimeter long with iridescent blue rings all over its body and tentacles. The octopus lives on sandy bottoms of the sea at the depth of 20-40 meters. They can camouflage themselves and change color.
Fishery academic of the Rayong Marine Fishery Station Montri Sumontha said the octopus was lethally venomous and able to kill humans easily. There was still no antidote for the animals’ lethal venom. Those who were bitten by the octopus would receive the similar treatments to those who are stung by puffer fish. Their symptoms would improve after 24 hours, said Mr.Montri.
There was a very slim chance that people would be in contact with the octopus since it did not come close to the beaches or shallow water, the academic added. He confirmed the department prohibited imports of blue-ringed octopus and urged consumers and seafood vendors to be careful when buying octopus.
