Stonefish
📖 Overview
Most widespread stonefish . Found on sandy or rubble areas of reef flats and shallow lagoons and in small pools during low tide well camouflaged among the substrate and sometimes even covered with algae . Solitary species . Feeds on fishes and crustaceans. The dorsal fin has 2 grooves serving as seringes of venom; their stings are excruciatingly painful and can occasionally be fatal. A serum exists which is effective if applied immediately after the infliction. World's most venomous fish . Uncommon in markets. In Hong Kong live fish markets . Also Ref. 57406.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5 - 7; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5 - 6. Colors matching surroundings and extremely well-camouflaged . Pelvic and anal fins spines are similarly developed. 12-14 stout grooved spines, each with a large venom sack at its base . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Stonefish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 0 - 30 m . Tropical; 30°N - 30°S, 30°E - 139°W East Africa to French Polynesia, north to the Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands, south to Queensland, Australia.
🌿 Ecology
fishes and crustaceans
📐 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
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Reef Stonefish · Stonefish |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Abu al-Laban |
| 🌍CES | odranec pravý |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Stenfisk |
| 🇩🇪German | Echter Steinfisch · Steinfisch |
| 🇫🇷French | Crapaud · Poisson pierre commun, Poisson-pierre, Synancée · Poisson pierre, Synancée verruqueuse · Poisson-pierre · Poisson-pierre commun · Synancée |
| 🌍HEB | אבנון מגושם |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Pesce pietra · Pesce pietra del reef · Pesce pietra verrucoso |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Onidarumaokoze · オニダルマオコゼ |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Echte Steenvis |
| 🇵🇱Polish | Szkaradnica |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Peixe-pedra-dos-recifes |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Бородавчатка |
| 🌍SLV | veščec |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Pez Piedra Común |
| 🌍TAH | nohu |
| 🌍THA | ปลาหิน |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 合笑 · 拗豬頭 · 沙薑鱠仔 · 玫瑰毒鮋 · 玫瑰毒鲉 · 石頭魚 · 腫瘤毒鮋 · 虎魚 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scorpaena brachion | Lacepède | 1801 | Synonym |
| Synaceia verrucosa | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Synanceia brachio | Cuvier | 1829 | Synonym |
| Synanceia thersites | Seale | 1901 | Synonym |
| Synanceichthys verrucosa | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Synanceja verrucosa | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Synancejia verrucosa | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Synancia verrucosa | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 27 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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