Estuarine stonefish
📖 Overview
Inhabits coastal reefs and estuaries . Makes a shallow depression by scooping up sand or mud with its pectoral fins until it is piled up around the sides of its body. Lies motionless on sandy bottom areas. Comes out at night and often moves on top of reefs . In Guinness Book of Records as most venomous fish . Solitary in coral rubble and rocks, extremely difficult to detect (Ref 90102).
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5. A drab species, usually brownish grey to reddish brown with a pattern of fine lines across the caudal fin. Eyes well elevated compared to the reef stonefish S. verrucosa . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Estuarine stonefish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 40 m . Tropical West Pacific: India to China, Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Australia.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- excruciating pain
- tissue necrosis
- cardiovascular collapse
- pulmonary oedema
CSL Stonefish antivenom (Australia); intensive supportive care; wound debridement.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Estuarine stonefish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.2 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 190 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Estuarine stonefish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Tsunodarumaokoze · ツノダルマオコゼ |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scorpaena horrida | Linnaeus | 1766 | Synonym |
| Synanceia horrid | Linnaeus | 1766 | Synonym |
| Synanceia trachynis | Richardson | 1842 | Synonym |
| Synanceja horrida | Linnaeus | 1766 | Synonym |
| Synanceja trachynis | Richardson | 1842 | Synonym |
| Synaneceiea horrida | Linnaeus | 1766 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 14 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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