Synanceia verrucosa
Encyclopedia
Synanceia verrucosa is a fish species, sometimes lethal to humans, which is known as the reef stonefish or simply stonefish
. They are carnivorous ray-finned fish
with venomous spines that lives on reef bottoms, camouflage
d as a rock. They are the most venomous known fish in the world.
The average length of most stonefish is about 30-40 centimeters. The largest Stonefish ever recorded was 51 centimeters long.
pet, but they are also sold for their meat in Hong Kong
markets. In addition, stonefish are also consumed in the Philippines
(mostly found in Chinese restaurants) and in Japan
as expensive sashimi
cuisine (called okoze, オコゼ). Stonefish can survive out of water for up to 20 hours.
The Reef Stonefish is the most venomous fish
in the world. Its dorsal area is lined with 13 spines that release venom
from two sacs attached to each spine. Its venom causes severe pain with possible shock, paralysis
, and tissue death
depending on the depth of the penetration. This level can be fatal to humans if not given medical attention within a couple of hours. Immediate first aid
treatment requires immersion of the affected limb in hot water, ensuring that it is not so hot that skin damage may occur. The immobilisation of venom at penetration site by tourniquet
or firm constrictive bandaging is no longer recommended.
The venom consists of a mixture of proteins, including the hemolytic stonustoxin, the protinaceous verrucotoxin and the cardioactive cardioleputin; an antivenom is available.
The venom is protein
based, and it can be (partially) denatured
by the application of a very hot compress to the injury site. Some relief can be gained from infiltrating the wound with a local anaesthetic. This is a temporary measure to reduce localized pain and shock. Medical aid must be sought at the earliest opportunity. Typically, surviving victims suffer localized nerve damage
occasionally leading to atrophy
of adjoining muscle
tissues.
There have been unproven reports of osteo-arthritic sufferers experiencing improved mobility and reduction in joint pain following envenomation episode. The responsible agent has not been identified.
The pain is said to be so severe that the victims of its sting want the affected limb to be amputated
. The poisonous sting of Scorpion Fish and Lionfish
are said to deliver almost the same level of pain.
Stonefish
Synanceia verrucosa is a fish species, sometimes lethal to humans, which is known as the reef stonefish or simply stonefish. They are carnivorous ray-finned fish with venomous spines that lives on reef bottoms, camouflaged as a rock...
. They are carnivorous ray-finned fish
Actinopterygii
The Actinopterygii or ray-finned fishes constitute a class or sub-class of the bony fishes.The ray-finned fishes are so called because they possess lepidotrichia or "fin rays", their fins being webs of skin supported by bony or horny spines , as opposed to the fleshy, lobed fins that characterize...
with venomous spines that lives on reef bottoms, camouflage
Camouflage
Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...
d as a rock. They are the most venomous known fish in the world.
Range
Stonefish live primarily above the tropic of Capricorn: The reef stonefish is the most widespread species of the stonefishes family, and is known to be found in the shallow tropical marine waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans, ranging from the Red Sea to the Queensland Great Barrier Reef.Description
Stonefish have a mottled greenish to mostly brown colour which aids in its ability to camouflage itself among the rocks of many of the tropical reefs. It eats mostly small fish, shrimp and other crustaceans.The average length of most stonefish is about 30-40 centimeters. The largest Stonefish ever recorded was 51 centimeters long.
Habitat
Its main habitat is on coral reefs, around dull coloured plants, near and about rocks, or can be found dormant in the mud or sand.Points of note
The primary commercial significance of the stonefish is as an aquariumAquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
pet, but they are also sold for their meat in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
markets. In addition, stonefish are also consumed in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
(mostly found in Chinese restaurants) and in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
as expensive sashimi
Sashimi
Sashimi is a Japanese delicacy. It consists of very fresh raw meat, most commonly fish, sliced into thin pieces.-Origin:The word sashimi means "pierced body", i.e...
cuisine (called okoze, オコゼ). Stonefish can survive out of water for up to 20 hours.
Venom
Venomous fish
Venomous fish are fish that produce venom. There are at least 1200 species of venomous fish, and they include the Stonefish, Lionfish, Scorpion Fish, Stargazer, and Toadfish .-See also:* Hallucinogenic fish...
in the world. Its dorsal area is lined with 13 spines that release venom
Venom
Venom is the general term referring to any variety of toxins used by certain types of animals that inject it into their victims by the means of a bite or a sting...
from two sacs attached to each spine. Its venom causes severe pain with possible shock, paralysis
Paralysis
Paralysis is loss of muscle function for one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor. A study conducted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, suggests that about 1 in 50 people have been diagnosed...
, and tissue death
Necrosis
Necrosis is the premature death of cells in living tissue. Necrosis is caused by factors external to the cell or tissue, such as infection, toxins, or trauma. This is in contrast to apoptosis, which is a naturally occurring cause of cellular death...
depending on the depth of the penetration. This level can be fatal to humans if not given medical attention within a couple of hours. Immediate first aid
First aid
First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care...
treatment requires immersion of the affected limb in hot water, ensuring that it is not so hot that skin damage may occur. The immobilisation of venom at penetration site by tourniquet
Tourniquet
An emergency tourniquet is a tightly tied band applied around a body part sometimes used in an attempt to stop severe traumatic bleeding. Tourniquets are also used during venipuncture and other medical procedures. Severe bleeding means the loss of more than 1,000 ml of blood. This flow of blood...
or firm constrictive bandaging is no longer recommended.
The venom consists of a mixture of proteins, including the hemolytic stonustoxin, the protinaceous verrucotoxin and the cardioactive cardioleputin; an antivenom is available.
The venom is protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
based, and it can be (partially) denatured
Denaturation (biochemistry)
Denaturation is a process in which proteins or nucleic acids lose their tertiary structure and secondary structure by application of some external stress or compound, such as a strong acid or base, a concentrated inorganic salt, an organic solvent , or heat...
by the application of a very hot compress to the injury site. Some relief can be gained from infiltrating the wound with a local anaesthetic. This is a temporary measure to reduce localized pain and shock. Medical aid must be sought at the earliest opportunity. Typically, surviving victims suffer localized nerve damage
Nerve Damage
Nerve Damage is a compilation album by Groove Metal band Skinlab, released in 2004. It is a 2CD collection of rare and unreleased material, including a live set, demos, remixes, alternate mixes, and two new tracks.-Disc 1:# "Losing All" – 4:04...
occasionally leading to atrophy
Atrophy
Atrophy is the partial or complete wasting away of a part of the body. Causes of atrophy include mutations , poor nourishment, poor circulation, loss of hormonal support, loss of nerve supply to the target organ, disuse or lack of exercise or disease intrinsic to the tissue itself...
of adjoining muscle
Muscle
Muscle is a contractile tissue of animals and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. Muscle cells contain contractile filaments that move past each other and change the size of the cell. They are classified as skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscles. Their function is to...
tissues.
There have been unproven reports of osteo-arthritic sufferers experiencing improved mobility and reduction in joint pain following envenomation episode. The responsible agent has not been identified.
The pain is said to be so severe that the victims of its sting want the affected limb to be amputated
Amputation
Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma, prolonged constriction, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on individuals as a preventative surgery for...
. The poisonous sting of Scorpion Fish and Lionfish
Lionfish
Lionfish may refer to:* genus Pterois, collectively known as the lionfish* Red Lionfish , a significant invasive species off the East Coast of North America and in the Caribbean-Fish:...
are said to deliver almost the same level of pain.