Great Barrier Reef

Stone Fish

Species - Synanceja trachynis, Synaneichthyes verrucosus

Description

The Stone Fish is a  mottled brown-greenish in colour (which gives them camouflage) with many venomous spines along its back.

Habitat

The stonefish lives primarily above the tropic of Capricorn. Its main habitat is on coral reefs, near and about rocks, or can be found dormant in the mud or sand. 

It feeds on small fish and shrimps.

Venom

The sting causes excruciating pain and a great deal of swelling rapidly develops causing death to tissues. The severity of the symptoms depends on the depth of penetration and the number of spines penetrated. The symptoms of the venom are muscle weakness, temporary paralysis and shock, which may result in death if not treated.

Do not attempt to restrict the movement of the injected toxin.

Bathing or immersing the stung area in hot water may be effective in reducing the pain.  transport the patient to the nearest medical centre. Hospitalisation for intravenous narcotic analgesia, local anaesthetic infiltration or regional block may be required.

Definitive management consists of administration of stonefish antivenin. Indications for antivenin include severe pain,  systemic symptoms or signs of  (weakness, paralysis) and injection of a large amount of venom.

 

Blue Ring Octopus - Cone Shells - Box Jelly Fish  - Lion Fish - Sting Rays - Stone fish

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