This Fish Doesn’t Chase You—But Step on It, and You Could Die

Imagine you’re walking along the ocean floor and having a great time when, all of a sudden, the ground starts to move. It’s not the tides or an earthquake—you’re actually stepping on a fish. And the fish in question happens to be one of the most venomous creatures in the world! That’s what it would be like to step on a reef stonefish. As you can see in this incredible YouTube video of reef stonefish, these animals blend seamlessly into the ocean floor. Let’s learn more about what makes them so unique. 

What is a Stonefish?

If you’ve never heard of the stonefish before, you’re in for a world of wonder. There are five recognized species of stonefish in the genus Synanceia. They include:

• Synanceia verrucosa – Known as the reef stonefish
• Synanceia alula – Known as the midget stonefish due to its size
• Synanceia horrida – Known as the estuarine stonefish
• Synanceia nana – Located in the Red Sea
• Synanceia platyrhyncha – Reef fish found in Indonesia

They all have several things in common, but the most noteworthy is their ability to blend seamlessly into the texture and appearance of the sea floor. One of the easiest ways to tell different types of stonefish apart is to look between their eyes. The eyes of reef stonefish are separated by a deep depression, while estuary stonefish have a bony ridge between their eyes. Stonefish typically live between five and ten years in the wild.

They are commonly found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea, East Africa, Australia, French Polynesia, and as far north as the Ryukyu and Ogasawara Islands.

The Reef Stonefish is a Master of Disguise

When you look at the reef stonefish, it may seem as if it is covered in some sort of flaky substance. In reality, that is their rough, often wart-covered skin, and this appearance helps keep them out of danger. They rest in rocky areas of the sea, so they blend in more easily. Some reef stonefish even have algae growing on them.

The main diet of this stonefish consists of crustaceans and fish. The stonefish is an ambush predator. Rather than chasing its prey, it waits motionless until a potential meal comes close, then strikes with remarkable speed. If prey swims overhead, the stonefish can suck it down with its mouth and swallow it whole.

Stay Away From the Reef Stonefish

While reef stonefish eat other creatures, they’re also prey themselves. Common predators of the stonefish include stingrays and sharks. In addition to their camouflage, their other main defensive strategy is the use of the 13 spines that stick out of their dorsal fin. If a human or other creature comes in contact with them, they inject toxic venom that can cause pain and potentially death. The fish blend in very well, so it’s not surprising that many people get stung every year. In fact, the stonefish is one of the most venomous fish in the world.

This species will not go out of its way to attack humans. But if you step on it, it’s likely to sting. While humans may not always die as a result of a sting, stonefish can cause major health issues, and you’ll want to seek help if you know you’ve been stung.

What to Do in Case of a Sting

The effects of the venom differ based on where you’re stung. Stonefish stings most commonly occur on the feet or hands and can cause intense pain, swelling, and bleeding at the site. Systemic symptoms such as difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, and nausea may also occur in severe cases due to the spread of venom.

If you are stung, get out of the water and apply direct pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding. Then, try to soak the wound in the hottest water you can tolerate until the pain subsides. Afterward, you can apply an ointment, such as silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) cream or bacitracin ointment. Then, put a bandage over the area. 

Finally, consider calling the Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222). Tell them about the wound and ask if they recommend any further action, which may include a visit to the emergency room.

Enjoy This Species From a Distance

Now that you know more about the reef stonefish, don’t consider it just another threat in the ocean; instead, see it as another facet of the beautiful underwater ecosystem. Our advice is to enjoy the stonefish from a distance. Stonefish are sometimes collected for the aquarium trade, and live tropical fish, including potentially stonefish, are sold for human consumption in Hong Kong markets, although the extent of this trade is largely untracked. The reef stonefish shown in the video is not currently classified as endangered, and is currently listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). With that said, let’s let them live in peace. Always watch your step as you marvel at the beauty of Mother Nature.