bigal.nz 60 Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 Has anyone else encountered the mutant Tamaki River "sea fleas" that live in the growth on the bottom of your hull? While at anchor I cleaned the area around a transducer and the little bast**ds bit me. I didn't feel it at the time but they itch like nothing else for days. Much smaller than sea lice, more like the size of a flea. Note to self to use a rash shirt or wet suit probably better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wheels 544 Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 Those "life of the party" types that study these things reckon it isn't the Sea Lice that cause the problem. They reckon the lice don't bite us. Although I personally disagree. Instead, they reckon it is the venom from tiny baby jellyfish that cause the problem. However, I know that those lice do indeed bite and have one heck of a decent nip that makes you move quick. As soon as you stop, they start nipping. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mcp 34 Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 I have encountered Sea Fleas at Limestone Island, off Onerahi, Whangarei harbour. Vicious little buggers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Pope 253 Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 You can get bitten when they get inside your togs, they don't like to be trapped, older womens togs (non Bikini) make them especially vulnerable. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Frank 161 Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 They are not limited to the Tamaki, anytime i've cleaned that slime my wetsuit is always covered in the critters, to me they look a like a miniature shrimp. The really nasty Sea Lice always seemed to live at the warm waters edge, a zone to be avoided as kids. Infestations of Microscopic NoSeeUm Jelly Fish are a problem sometimes, if you get hit by those you are in for an uncomfortable few days, Antihistamine helps. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigal.nz 60 Posted December 30, 2019 Author Share Posted December 30, 2019 You can get bitten when they get inside your togs, they don't like to be trapped, older womens togs (non Bikini) make them especially vulnerable. Clean the hull naked then? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Romany 162 Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 quick cover ya eyes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chloe 7 Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 https://www.google.com/search?q=Sea+Fleas&rlz=1C1AVSF_enNZ742NZ742&oq=Sea+Fleas&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i60&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alibaba 83 Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 https://www.google.com/search?q=Sea+Fleas&rlz=1C1AVSF_enNZ742NZ742&oq=Sea+Fleas&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i60&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alibaba 83 Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 I've had exactly the same. Whenever I have swum and scraped the hull. They attach and bite and itch. Solution, get the least hairy person to do it. Over you go missus Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tuffyluffy 76 Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 I thought this post was about jet skis Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AJ Oliver 155 Posted December 31, 2019 Share Posted December 31, 2019 Sort of like nautical sand flies ? Oh, the humanity !! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wal 27 Posted January 2, 2020 Share Posted January 2, 2020 I thought this post was about jet skis Snap..... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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