# Stonefish (*Synanceia*)

The Stonefish is one of the most camouflaged fish in the ocean. It can look just like a rock, making it hard to spot!

- **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Coral reefs
- **Also known as:** Synanceia Fish

![Stonefish](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424733/objects/4775.jpg)

## Appearance

The Stonefish has a lumpy, warty body covered in mottled browns, greens, and reds, perfectly mimicking a coral-encrusted rock. Its large head features upward-pointing eyes and a wide mouth, making it nearly invisible.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Actinopterygii
- **Order:** Scorpaeniformes
- **Family:** Synanceiidae
- **Genus:** Synanceia

## Interesting facts

- Its venom is one of the most potent and painful known in fish!
- Stepping on a stonefish can cause extreme pain and a serious medical emergency!
- Stonefish can survive out of water for up to 24 hours, waiting for the tide!
- Stonefish regularly shed their entire outer layer of skin to grow!

## Special abilities

- **Master of Disguise:** Stonefish has a warty, mottled body that helps them blend perfectly with rocks and coral to ambush prey.
- **Venomous Spines:** Stonefish can inject potent venom through dorsal fin spines that helps them deter predators and defend themselves.
- **Lightning-Fast Strike:** Stonefish can lunge and engulf passing prey with incredible speed that helps them secure a meal.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 30-45 cm
- **Weight:** 1.5-2.5 kg
- **Lifespan:** 5-10 years
- **Swim Speed:** 0.5 km/h
- **Maximum Depth:** 40 m
- **Water Type:** Saltwater

## Diet & Feeding

Stonefish are ambush predators that eat small fish and crustaceans found on the seafloor.

- **Primary Foods:** Small fish, Shrimp, Crabs, Other crustaceans
- **Foraging Method:** Ambush

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** Blue-green chromis (*Chromis viridis*) — a common reef fish it ambushes
- **Eats:** Common prawn (*Palaemon serratus*) — a small crustacean found in its habitat
- **Eats:** Mud lobster (*Thalassina anomala*) — found in muddy or sandy areas

## Traits

- [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
- [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range.
- [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
- [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
- [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.
- [Threatened](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/threatened): Threatened status denotes a species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future without effective conservation interventions.
- [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
- [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting.

## Collections

- [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Stonefish?

Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Stonefish?

30-45 cm

### How much does Stonefish weigh?

1.5-2.5 kg

### How long does Stonefish live?

5-10 years

### What does Stonefish eat?

Stonefish are ambush predators that eat small fish and crustaceans found on the seafloor.

### How fast can Stonefish swim?

0.5 km/h

### Where is Stonefish usually found?

Coral reefs

### How does Stonefish hunt?

Ambush

## More Fish

- [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*)
- [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*)
- [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*)
- [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*)

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Source: [Stonefish: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stonefish)