Scorpionfishes

A very well camouflaged stonefish at the point of the knife.

Scorpionfishes are perhaps best known for the venomous properties of the fin spines found in many species. The most notorious in this respect are the stonefishes belonging to the subfamily Synanceiinae. Although few people have been unlucky enough to tread on these spines, there are several published reports of stings accompanied by excruciating pain and convulsive death within several minutes.

The active ingredient of the poison is a protein which is broken down and rendered inactive by heating. Therefore the recommended treatment for scorpionfish stings is immediate immersion in very hot (not scalding) water.

Most species are passive predators of crabs, shrimps, and small fishes.

So remember to take your kettle to the beach with you! The choice between dying of boiling water or protein poison is yours! *Smile*

Lionfishes

Lion fishes belonging to the genera Pterois and Decdrochirus, although not as venomous as the stonefishes, are capable of dangerous stings which have rendered victims unconscious, resulting in severe swelling and a need for several days of hospitalization.