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🌊 Marine Least Concern ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Venomous 🌡️ Tropical

Pitted stonefish

Erosa erosa Cuvier, 1829
Max Length
15 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.9
Depth
0–90 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
29.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Pitted stonefish (Erosa erosa), first described by Cuvier, 1829 is a medium-sized fish in the family Synanceiidae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 15.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 0 to 90 metres. It occurs in Tropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.The species is venomous and potentially dangerous to handle.

Scientific Name
Erosa erosa
Authority
Cuvier, 1829
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
15 cm
Depth Range
0–90 m
Trophic Level
3.9
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
29.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 5 - 6. : short and / or deep.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Pitted stonefish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 90 m . Tropical known from scattered location from southern Japan to northern Australia.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.9±0.7

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01905 × L3.01 (TL)
Max TL
15cm
Dorsal Spines
14
Dorsal Rays
9
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
6

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2015

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
29.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.9
Predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Cuvier, 1829

⚠️ Venom Profile

Medical Warning: This species is venomous. Seek immediate medical attention if envenomated. Contact emergency services and follow first aid guidance below.
Venom Type
proteinaceous cytotoxic and neurotoxic
Delivery
dorsal spines with venom glands
Potency
Potentially lethal
Mortality Risk
Moderate
Symptom Onset
2min
Duration
48.0hrs
Antivenom
✓ Available
Named Toxins
Stonustoxin verrucotoxin trachynilysin
Symptoms
  • excruciating pain
  • tissue necrosis
  • cardiovascular collapse
  • pulmonary oedema
Affected Body Systems
cardiovascular respiratory peripheral nervous system muscular
First Aid
Immediate immersion in hot water; call emergency services immediately.
Medical Treatment

CSL Stonefish antivenom (Australia); intensive supportive care; wound debridement.

Antivenom: CSL Stonefish Antivenom

References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Synanceia erosa Cuvier 1829 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 6 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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