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Stonefish

Marine life profile

Stonefish

Recorded at 535 dive sites

Where divers encounter it

Explore Stonefish around the world

Synanceia is a genus of ray-finned fish belonging to the subfamily Synanceiinae, commonly known as the stonefish, which is classified within the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfish and close relatives. It remains still on the bottom and waits for small fish to move within striking distance.

Dive sites535
Countries49
Animal groupReef Fish
Safety profileVenomous

Meet the species

What to look for

How to Recognize It

A thick-set ambush predator whose rough, mottled skin can look almost exactly like a rock.

How It Behaves

It remains still on the bottom and waits for small fish to move within striking distance.

Special Ability

Camouflage hides a lightning-fast mouth and venomous dorsal spines.

Dive responsibly

Share the water well

How to Approach

Keep excellent buoyancy and never place hands, knees or feet on apparently empty rock or rubble.

Safety

Highly venomous. Do not touch or stand near it, and treat any suspected spine injury as an urgent medical emergency.

Worth knowing

The detail you remember

Interesting Facts

Stonefish are the most venomous fish known, stings can be fatal to humans.

Where to Find

Look around coral structure, rocky reef, wrecks and current lines where shelter and food meet.

Known countries

MauritiusMexicoUnited StatesEgyptThailandIndonesiaMaldivesGreeceGuadeloupePhilippinesSeychellesColombiaFranceTurkey