Monday, October 8, 2012

Evolution
Stonefish (Family: Synanceiidae) are a dangerous group of fish. They are are one of the most venemous fish in the world. Despite this, deaths caused by stonefish stings are surprisingly rare.

The stonefish are ambush predators. Rather than actively hunting for food, the stonefish prefers to lie motionless in wait, camouflaged as a stone or as part of a reef. When a small fish or crustacean passes
by, the stonefish simply opens its mouth with incredible speed, creating a partial vacuum that sucks the prey in.

The stonefish does not use its spines for hunting, but rather for self defense. The dorsal fin spines are all tipped with a very painful neurotoxin. They pose a threat to humans walking along a stretch of rocky beach. A person who thinks that they are only stepping on a stone may end up stepping on a stonefish's spine. The pain is immense. Some accounts describe victims wanting the stung limb to be amputated.

Despite their toxicity, stonefish are known to be eaten by Sharks and Rays. They are also occasionally eaten by humans as an exotic delicacy.

Read more about the Stonefish: http://australianmuseum.net.au/Reef-Stonefish-Synanceia-verrucosa-Bloch-Schneider-1801

Image Source: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMVpUe3fYGw/TueSo2qUFuI/AAAAAAAAFFY/JjHNGQUQRrM/s1600/stonefish.jpg

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