Reef stonefish
| Synanceia verrucosa | |
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Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Scorpaeniformes |
| Family: | Synanceiidae |
| Genus: | Synanceia |
| Species: | S. verrucosa |
| Binomial name | |
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Synanceia verrucosa Bloch & J. G. Schneider, 1801 |
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Synanceia verrucosa is a fish species known as the reef stonefish or simply stonefish. It is a carnivorous ray-finned fish with venomous spines. It lives on reef bottoms camouflaged as a rock. It is the most venomous known fish in the world. It can be lethal to humans.
This stonefish is usually brown or gray, and it may have areas of yellow, orange or red. This species reaches 30 to 40 centimeters long; a specimen of 51 centimeters has been recorded.
This stonefish lives primarily above the Tropic of Capricorn. It is the most widespread species in the stonefish family, and is known from shallow tropical marine waters in the Pacific and Indian Oceans from the Red Sea to the Great Barrier Reef.
There is also evidence showing that S. verrucosa may exist within the Mediterranean Sea. An adult specimen was captured in 2010 near Yavne, Israel.
This fish lives in coral reefs. It may settle on and around rocks and plants, or rest on the seabed.
The reef stonefish eats mostly small fish, shrimp and other crustaceans.
The primary commercial significance of this stonefish is as an aquarium pet. It is also sold for meat in Hong Kong markets. It is consumed in the Philippines, especially in Chinese restaurants, and in Japan.
The reef stonefish is the most venomous fish in the world. Its dorsal area is lined with 13 spines, each of which has two venom sacs. The spines are sharp and stiff and have been known to pierce boot soles.
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Wikipedia