It has a very large mouth with powerful jaws that can strikeout and suck down its prey whole extremely quickly, in less than 15 milliseconds. The stonefish is not an active predator but rather lays in wait for its prey to swim by. Often the only clue to its presence is its highly arched mouth pointing upwards and the eye swellings. Although naturally a brown or grey color it can take on other colors to fit in with its surroundings.
It may even be covered in algae thus enhancing its disguise. It is a bottom dweller and is a master of camouflage that can be found partially buried in the sand or hiding among coral blocks or rocks. The stonefish is a clumsy mover that does not travel very far. Its main predators are sharks, rays, and moray eels. Rather it uses its venom as protection and to avoid predation. It will not chase you with the intention of harming you. However, this fish is not out to get you. If there are spines in the wound do NOT try to remove them but simply pad around them. First aid involves placing the affected area in very hot water, as hot as the patient can stand, for between 20 and 30 minutes (not more than 30 minutes) as the heat helps to break down the proteins in the venom. Stepping on or accidentally touching the spines of this fish can cause you vomiting, fever, swelling, excruciating pain, difficulty breathing, and tissue destruction around the entry wound so immediate medical attention is imperative. It is officially the world’s most venomous fish and the venom it injects can kill an adult in less than an hour. The stonefish has 13 dorsal spines, each containing 2 venom sacs, 3 venomous spines on its anal fin, and 2 venomous spines on each of its pelvic fins. This is not surprising when you consider that scorpionfish, lionfish, and stonefish all belong to the same family (Scorpaenidae).Īll members of this family have similar characteristics in that they all have venomous spines. These would be the scorpionfish, of which there are 4 distinct species and the filamented devilfish. Red Sea Stonefish - The master of disguise B elieve it or not, there is only 1 species of stonefish in the Red Sea (Synanceia Verrucosa) although at least 5 other species are often mistaken for stonefish by divers.
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