'catfish', known as siluriformes in scientific discourse, are part of the freshwater fish family and only a few species have a venomous sting - most identifiable by their flat, broad heads as well the whiskers around their mouth, hence their feline name.

poisonous glands can be found in their pectorial (breast) spines - they tend to be dull-coloured, usually either brown, black, white or grey - they vary massively in size, from 5 centimeter to 13 feet, although the average catfish is around a metre long.

though unlikely, specialist advise victims of an attack to remove the sting as quickly as possible and apply hot water to the wound to reduce the pain and prevent the onset of infection.