Traumatogenic animals cause injury via a bite, sting, electric shock, puncture, or other physical mechanism. Although the list is extensive, examples include sharks, rays, barracudas, moray eels, sawfish, large groupers, piranhas, and surgeon fish. In many cases, secondary bacterial infection (Table 3) presents a greater risk to the recipient than the initial trauma. Poor hygiene and husbandry practices augment the likelihood that a serious infection will occur. All wounds, no matter how small, should be cleansed thoroughly with a disinfectant. If any question exists as to the extent of an injury or risk of secondary infection a qualified physician should be
consulted.