Stonefish Venomous Stonefish Facts

Stronefish hiding

Photo: Stonefish disguised as a stone

The stonefish is a highly venomous bottom-dwelling fish found in coastal regions of Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Its oval body is covered with bumps, nodules, filaments, and growths resembling algae, enabling it to camouflage itself among rocks and sand by appearing like a stone, hence its name. The stonefish has 13 dorsal spines that deliver potent neurotoxins, causing excruciating pain, paralysis, and sometimes death to humans if stepped on or disturbed. Fortunately, there have been no recorded deaths from stonefish stings in Australia. Hidden by one of its excellent disguises, the stonefish waits motionless for prey to pass by and grabs them with its large upward-opening mouth.

Worldwide, there are five species of stonefish. The two species of stonefish are found in waters around Australia and are the most vicious. The Reef Stonefish ( Synanceia verrucosa) has a deep depression between its eyes. The Estuary Stonefish ( Synanceia horrida) has elevated eyes separated by a bony ridge. The male and female stonefish are similar in appearance. However, the female is larger and broader around the abdomen than the male and can weigh 50% more. Stonefish have a lifespan of between 5 to 10 years.

Stonefish hiding amoung the coral.

Photo: Stonefish blending into its environment


How Dangerous is the Stonefish? How Deadly is the Stonefish

Stonefish venomous dorsal spines

Photo: Stonefish dorsal fin spines

The stone fish is variously called the most dangerous, the most venomous fish, and even the most poisonous fish in the world. But is the stonefish really that terrible, and are these names for it fair?

The terms dangerous and deadly refer to how harmful an animal is to humans, and the stonefish’s sting is most certainly hazardous to humans. But a stonefish never attacks a human! Most encounters between stonefish and humans are accidental. The venomous spines on the back of a stonefish are strictly for its protection. They keep the fish safe from predators. So, the stonefish is dangerous or deadly only if a human intentionally comes into contact with it, usually by accidentally stepping on it. So, is a stonefish dangerous and deadly for humans? The answer is YES.

By definition, a poisonous animal's entire body or parts of its flesh contain toxic substances that are harmful if touched or eaten. Sharks and rays eat stonefish and suffer no noticeable adverse effects. Humans, too, can eat the stonefish if they remove the venom glands feeding the spines or boil the animal to destroy its toxicity. Human deaths from eating stonefish are rare to non-existent. So, is the stonefish poisonous? Technically, the answer is NO.

A venomous animal injects its toxin into another animal. Because the stonefish injects its highly toxic venom into its victim when its spins are compressed, it is the world's most venomous fish. So, is the stonefish venomous? The answer is YES.

So, in conclusion, the stonefish is the deadliest and most dangerous venomous fish in the world to humans!

• The Stonefish's Sting - Painful & Deadly


Stonefish Habitat Where Do Stonefish Live?

Sotnefish distribution map around Australia

Photo: Stonefish Location Map (Australia)

The stonefish are found in shallow tropical waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans to the Red Sea. Stonefish in Australia live off the coastline, especially in the Great Barrier Reef. It usually lurks amongst coral and rock formations and camouflages itself to look like a clump of coral or a piece of rock. Where there isn't sufficient environmental cover to disguise itself, the stonefish will use its powerful pectoral fins to dig itself into the seabed and pretend to be something most appropriate to its surroundings, typically an algae-covered rock.

The stonefish can survive out of water for up to 24 hours. This may be an adaptation to its shallow water existence, where it may get trapped in drying out rock-pools during low tide.


Stonefish Diet What Do Stonefish Eat?

Stonefish Catching Prey Video

Stonefish catching a fish video
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Stonefish are carnivorous predators with a varied diet consisting mainly of small fish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates found in their coastal habitat. Additionally, stonefish are known to be cannibalistic, consuming smaller individuals of their species if the opportunity presents itself. They are ambush hunters, lying in wait among rocks or sand until prey comes within striking distance. (See video).

The stonefish's capture technique is called ‘gape and suck’. The stonefish can expand the volume of its throat, which has extra pleated skin to allow expansion, and mouth in a split second. When it opens its powerful jaws wide open and expands its throat, it creates a significant vacuum suction pressure between the inside of its mouth and the outside environment which sucks its unsuspecting prey into its gaping mouth where it is swallowed whole. This action is so quick that it's all over in less than 1/100th of a second.


Stonefish Reproduction Stonefish Life-cycle

During mating season, which typically occurs in warmer months, the female stonefish deposits a layer of large eggs in protected areas such as under rocks or crevices. The male then comes along and releases sperm over them. The male stonefish guard the eggs, protecting them from predators and ensuring they receive adequate oxygenation until they hatch. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae emerge and drift in the water column as part of the planktonic community. As they grow, they undergo various stages of development before eventually settling on the ocean floor and adopting the sedentary lifestyle of adult stonefish.


Stonefish Predators & Threats What Kills Stonefish?

The main predators of adult stonefish are sharks, stingrays, moray eels, snappers, groupers and sea snakes. Young stonefish are easy prey for other fish. Very few survive to adulthood.

Can You Eat a Stonefish?

Yes, you can eat a stonefish – provided it is prepared properly. The protein-based venom quickly breaks down when cooked. It is also safe to eat raw, provided the fish's dorsal fin with its associated venom is removed first. It is a delicacy in Japan and China.


Stonefish Conservation Status Is the Stonefish Endangered?

The worldwide stonefish population is not known. It is found throughout its various habitats. There is no evidence to suggest that it is threatened in anyway. The stonefish is not endangered.


Stonefish Attack Do Stonefish Attack Humans?

Stonefish do not attack humans. Its venomous dorsal fin spines are only for defence. They do what they have always done and stay hidden and motionless in their habitat with their venomous dorsal fin spines erect as a defence. Stonefish sometimes wash up near the shoreline or on beaches where humans may step on them or pick them up. So, strictly speaking any injury suffered by a human is self-inflicted – You ventured into its habitat, stepped on it or touched it. You didn't leave the animal alone and got stung.


Stonefish Sting Can a Stonefish Kill You?

Stonefish dorsal spines

Photo: Stonefish dorsal spine

Results of stonefish sting

Photo: Human foot after stonefish sting

The stonefish is the most venomous fish in the world. Hidden beneath its dorsal fin are 13 spines with deadly spikes that act like hypodermic needles and inject highly toxic venom into any creature that comes in contact with them. The venom in these spines is only released when pressure is applied to the stonefish’s spine, which means the venom is most often emitted when the stonefish is attacked by a predator or stepped on by a human. Stonefish venom has both cardiovascular and neuromuscular toxicity. The pain caused by the venom is described as being immediate and excruciatingly painful and may last many days. The severity of the outcome depends on the number of punctures suffered from these spines. Symptoms include muscular paralysis, breathing difficulties and shock. If untreated, heart failure and death may occur.

The stonefish is ranked as the 20th most venomous animal in the world. There have been no recorded human deaths in Australia as a result of an encounter with a stonefish. It is believed that several fatalities may occur in other Indo-Pacific areas, usually due to the lack of medical treatment. Stonefish antivenom is the second-most frequently administered antivenom in Australia.


Stonefish Treatment for Sting What to Do if You are Stung by a Stonefish

The best precautions against a stonefish injury are being alert, wearing sturdy footwear, and not touching or picking up these animals.

If you step on a stonefish or are foolish enough to pick one up and get stung, wash the wound with cold water (saltwater is fine). Then, apply heat to the wound for 30-90 minutes. Soaking the wound in very hot water (but not so hot that it causes burns on the victim) is one easy option. Heat may help destroy stonefish venom and provide some pain relief to the victim. Vinegar, supplied on most Australian beaches for use against jellyfish stings, is also said to reduce pain. These remedies offer temporary relief only. Medical treatment should always be sought urgently.


Stonefish vs Scorpionfish What’s the Difference Between Stonefish & Scorpionfish

Stonefish and Scorpionfish are often confused.

The stonefish is best at pretending to be a stone and is capable of less colour-matching compared to the scorpionfish. It is also the most venomous fish in the world. Only its dorsal fin is venomous.

The scorpionfish has more prominent eyes and can change its colour to better match its surroundings, including colourful corals. It has venomous spines on its back as well as on its fins. It isn't as venomous as the stonefish.

25 Stonefish Facts

  1. The stonefish is about 40-50cm in length with a warty grey-brown skin and patches of other colours.
  2. The stonefish is the most venomous fish in the world.
  3. It has 13 highly venomous spines hidden under its skin and break out when the fish is squeezed or pressed.
  4. Stonefish venom has cardiovascular and neuromuscular toxicity.
  5. Its sting is excruciatingly painful and can cause death.
  6. It doesn't attack human.
  7. Instead, humans disturb it and get stung.
  8. The stonefish lives in shallow water off the Australian coastline.
  9. It is a stout 50cm long fish with excellent camouflage skills.
  10. Its skin is covered with nodules, bumps and other odd growths that appear like outgrowths of algae.
  11. Its favourite disguise is to pretend to be an algae-encrusted stone or clump of coral.
  12. The stonefish has a lifespan of 5-10years and can survive out of water for up to 24 hours.
  13. Male and females are similar in appearance, But the female is 50% larger.
  14. The stonefish is a hide-and-wait predator and snaps up its prey when it passes close by.
  15. It eats other fish and bottom-dwelling invertebrates.
  16. It has a huge upward-opening mouth that can catch prey in 1/100th of a second.
  17. It sucks its prey into its huge mouth.
  18. The stonefish can survive out of water for up to 24 hours.
  19. Stonefish and Scorpionfish are often confused.
  20. The main predators of the stonefish are sharks, stingrays, and sea snakes.
  21. Stonefish antivenom is the second-most frequently used antivenom in Australia.
  22. No humans in Australia die from stonefish stings. There are many death in other countries.
  23. There are five species of stonefish worldwide.
  24. If prepared correctly, you can eat a stonefish.
  25. It is a delicacy in Japan and China.



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