Stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa) lives in coral reef across Indo-Pacific waters. It feeds on small fish crustaceans. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Stonefish
- A single stonefish can deliver a lethal dose of just 18 mg of venom, enough to kill a human, and it can do so using only six of its thirteen dorsal spines. Each dorsal spine houses two venom sacs, allowing the fish to inject the toxin rapidly when threatened. The venom is a complex cocktail that includes the protein verrucotoxin, which is responsible for the fatal effects.
- The stonefish's dorsal spines are not only sharp but also extremely stiff, turning them into tiny spears that can embed deeply when the fish defends itself. There are thirteen spines along the back, each equipped with two venom sacs, and they have been recorded piercing the soles of boots. This formidable armour contributes to its reputation as the world's most venomous fish.
- The reef stonefish can reach a maximum recorded total length of 40 cm, although most individuals are around 27 cm long. Its skin is tough and rough, covered in numerous warts that help it blend with the reef substrate. Living among coral reefs, it often settles on rocks or plants, using its camouflaged body to remain hidden from both prey and predators.
- The reef stonefish is the most widespread stonefish species on the planet, occupying shallow tropical waters from the Red Sea across the Indo-Pacific. Its range stretches from coastal East Africa through the western Pacific to French Polynesia, reaching as far north as southern Japan and Taiwan.
- The reef stonefish spends the majority of its life as a solitary predator, only coming together with the opposite sex during the brief breeding season. When a mature female deposits a layer of unfertilised eggs on the reef floor, a male quickly swims by and releases sperm to fertilise them, after which the adults separate again. This short aggregation allows the species to maintain its solitary lifestyle while still achieving successful reproduction.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeIndo-Pacific waters
HabitatCoral reef
DietSmall fish crustaceans
About the Stonefish
In the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific, a master of stealth lurks, its mottled brown form blending seamlessly into the rocky crevices it calls home. The stonefish, a cryptic and patient hunter, moves with a slow, deliberate pace, its fins rippling softly as it navigates the turbulent waters with an air of serene indifference. As it settles into its favored ambush post, the stonefish becomes all but invisible, a testament to the remarkable camouflage that has earned it a reputation as one of the most elusive and enigmatic creatures of the ocean floor.
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