Stonefish : Get to know the world's most venomous species of fishes. How dangerous they are?

Not many species of fishes that we see in our daily lives are dangerous. In fact, most of the common fishes around the planet are not dangerous at all. But, today we are going to talk about one of the most dangerous and venomous fish species on the planet. What makes these fishes dangerous are not only their venomous nature but also their ability to hide  themselves from a normal human's eye. Even if you find them around somewhere, you probably will not able to tell that if they are dangerous or not. Not only that, these are also one of those fishes which doesn't look like fishes (weird looking). Today we going to learn about "Stonefish", which are not only one of the most venomous fish species, but also the most venomous animals on the planet. So let's go.

Synanaceia (Stonefish)

General Info

Stone fishes are carnivorous fishes which are mostly found in the northern half of Australia and coastal region of the Pacific and the Indian ocean, but can also be found in rivers, near the coral reefs and underwater rocks. They were discovered and studied in 1766. As their name says, they are known and identified by their "laying stone" like appearance and their body show very less signs of frequent motions. Also, they are also known for their amazing camouflage abilities which makes way harder to detect and see with naked eyes.

Their are 5 known species of stonefish around the planet. These are:

• Reef Stonefish (Synanaceia verrrucosa)

• Midget Stonefish (Synanaceia alula)

• Red Sea Stonefish (Synanaceia nana)

• Estuarine Stonefish (Synanaceia horrida)

• Synanaceia platyrhyncha (common name not known)

There are also other stone fishes, but they belong to a different family and not from the family of traditional stone fishes. Others:

• False Stonefish (Scorpaenopsis diabolus)

• Pitted Stonefish (Erosa erosa)

• Blackfin Stonefish (Pseudosynanceia melanostigma)

The total population of stonefish is not accurately known but they are quite in number as they are on the spot of "Least concerned" species of the IUCN red list. Also, depending upon the specie, their lifespan can be between 5 to 10 years in the wild.

Physical Characteristics

Stone fishes are small/medium sized carnivore fishes. They have big flat head and a big jaw with the fins and tail being shorter as compared to the rest of the body. They have around 13 pointy needle like dorsal fin structures on their back. These structure are connected to the venom secreting gland (at the end of the structures) which releases neurotoxic/verrucotoxic/cardiotoxic venom if the stonefish is disturbed or spooked. Not only these, but a stonefish also has an additional as well as extendable structure at the top of their head which is used for more or extra defense. The sting of stone fishes are insanely painful and can prove to be extremely lethal if proper aid is not provided.

Their body length can be between 9.44 to 15.74 inches (0.78 to 1.31 feet) but can also grow grow from 19.68 to 23.62 inches (~ 1.64 to 2 feet) in rare cases. Also, their body weight vary from 4.40 to 5.51 pounds (2 to 2.5 Kg). 

As per their appearance, their body color can be red, grey, yellow or orange, depending upon the species. Their skin color is distributed on the body in such a way that it makes them look like a stone or a small/medium sized sea rock. They have a rough and uneven body surface and a little unsymmetrical structure. Because of this reason, they appear like a non-living thing just laying down which results in numbers of accidents in which various people on the beach and swimmers step on them accidently without even knowing that they are right under feet.

Behavior and lifestyle

Stone fishes are deadly without a doubt, but they are not aggressive. There is no case in which a stonefish intentionally attacks a human with aggressiveness. They are solitary animals and are very rarely seen in groups. They are very slow animals and are often seen resting idle at most of the times. But hey, when i say slow, i am just taking about their general movement or motion. While catching a prey, they remain idle in a place and wait for their prey to come near them. As soon as the prey is in close proximity, they react and attacks their prey in super fast speed of nearly 0.015 seconds.

As for their diet, they generally feed on small fishes, reef fishes, shrimps, lobsters, crabs and other crustaceans. As they can be also vulnerable sometimes, their common enemies sometimes take advantage. Their common predators are sea snakes, sharks and rays.

They are generally found in the water but are also seen at beaches (as mentioned before), as they can survive on land for nearly 24 hours. That's why they got stepped accidentally by some people at the beach. Therefore, everyone should be extremely careful while enjoying at the beach because a stonefish sting can easily ruin your whole day or a whole week. You can find many videos on the internet just to know that the experts describes the pain of a stonefish sting as unimaginable. Sheeeesh....!

Reproduction

The information about the reproduction process of rest of the species is not properly known other than that of the Reef stonefish. The females don't really intercourse with the male in order to fertilize the eggs. Instead, the female lay her unfertilized eggs on the reef's or sea floor, and then the male comes in and releases his sperm into the layers of the unfertilized eggs. The females can lay millions of eggs at a time. The females do not chooses or allow males as according to their wish on which one going to fertilize the eggs, therefore any male can come in and complete the process of fertilization.

Biological features

Venom and it's nature 

As already mentioned, the venom that they release from their glands are not only extremely dangerous but is also insanely painful. Depending upon the specie, stone fishes can release deadly venomous fluid of different nature (neurotoxic,verrucotoxic or cardiotoxic).

Sexual dimorphism 

Stone fishes shows sexual dimorphism with the female being slightly bigger and thicker than the male stone fishes.

Camouflage

The don't change color or shape shift. But the texture and body design of stonefish is made in such a manner that it looks like a reef rock or a stone which makes them extremely difficult to identify.

Facts and Summary

• Stone fishes are carnivorous small/medium sized fishes.

• They are one of the most venomous fish species on the planet.

• Their are 5 main known species of stonefish.

• A stonefish can live up to 10 years.

• Stonefish can survive 24 hours outside the water.

• Their special skin texture provide them with excellent camouflage abilities.

• They have 13 pointy needle like structure on their back which are modified into spine. Also, they got an extra extendable structure on the top of their head for extra defense.

• The venom release by a stonefish can be really deadly and could take a life if not treated on the right time. 

• A stonefish sting can be extremely painful and can hurt like hell.

• Many accidents happen of people stepping on stone fishes accidentally on the beach and in the water.

• Stonefish sting can cause severe pain, tissue damage, paralysis and swelling.

• The amount of venom released depends upon the how much pressure is applied. More the pressure, more the venom released.

• Despite of their nature of being idle all the time, they have a lightning fast reaction. A stonefish can react and attack on it's prey in 0.015 seconds.

• Stone fishes shows sexual dimorphism. Females are bigger than males.

• The fertilization of their eggs takes place in the water with the males fertilizing the eggs by release sperm on the layer of eggs.

• Stonefish is also used in various restaurants as a part of their meals and cuisines in countries like Japan and China.

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