Iranian striped fish

Iran's Shatt al Arab River is home to a mysterious, potentially deadly fish, first mentioned by Roger Caras in his 1975 book "Dangerous to Man." Described as a small, black fish, its venomous bites have been linked to the deaths of 28 people. The article presents hypotheses regarding its identity, suggesting possible connections to fish species such as Heteropneustes fossilis and Thyrsoidea macrura. It also considers the existence of a previously unknown species of glidefish, Meiacanthus nigrolineatus, that could be responsible for these tragic incidents.

In his book Dangerous To Man (1975), Roger Caras makes an intriguing, concise reference to a small, black, and potentially deadly mystery fish said to live in the Shatt al Arab River in Iran. It is said to be venomous, and its lightning-fast bite has already killed 28 people. In investigating the mystery of this unknown killer fish (Fortean Times, December 1996), I offered several plausible explanations for its identity. In many cases, unusual animals turn out to be misidentified representatives of species already known to science. It is possible that in this case we are dealing with the species Heteropneustes fossilis, a small, black fish belonging to the catfish family, recently introduced from India and Thailand and released into the Shatt al Arab for breeding purposes, deemed fit for consumption. Its bite does not produce the described unpleasant effects, but its pectoral fins are equipped with venomous spines and can cause painful wounds. Another fish worth considering is the juvenile moray eel (Thyrsoidea macrura) that swims upstream from the sea. While their bite isn't venomous, the rotting flesh particles between the teeth of these predatory fish can cause wounds that are difficult to heal (similar to the bites of lions and tigers).

It's also possible that the tiny terror of the Shatt al Arab is a new, unknown species of fish, related to the Blemniidae family. These blue-gray and yellow fish inhabit the Red Sea and the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba. Their scientific name is Meiacanthus nigrolineatus . Unlike the other probable "venomous fish" prototypes mentioned above, they are capable of a venomous bite. Their lower jaw teeth are grooved, and the tissue at their base secretes a toxic substance. Admittedly, no deaths resulting from bites from this fish have been recorded. However, if their black cousin, capable of producing a more potent venom, lives in the Shatt al Arab, one can only hope that it will one day be captured, and scientists will finally determine the identity of this mysterious, tiny killer