Hand Infections Secondary to Catfish Spines

Catfish are one of the few freshwater fishes known to be venomous. Although "finning" of the hand is a frequent injury incurred by catfish anglers that results in intense pain, it rarely results in any long-term sequelae. We present three cases in which acute soft-tissue infections developed, necessitating ray amputations in two patients. The unique habitat and anatomy of the catfish are described and preventive and therapeutic measures are discussed.