Relevant synonyms None. Misidentification None. Meristic formula D, XIII+6; A, III+5-6; P, 17-19 ; V, I+4-5  photo : D. Darom

SHORT DESCRIPTION Stocky wide body. Broad dorsally flatted head. Upper pointed, slightly elevated eyes. Superior half-circle mouth. A single continuous dorsal fin with clear incisions between the spines. Caudal fin round. Anal fin with deep incisions between its spines and rays. Very wide pectoral fin. Wide pelvic fin, its origin well beyond and behind pectoral fin origin. No scales but thick skin covered with protuberances. color : highly variable, usually brownish-beige with many spots and patches matching its surroundings. size : common 15-30 cm (max. 40 cm). DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS Other Scorpaenidae: terminal mouth; more than 7 dorsal rays. BIOLOGY / ECOLOGY Its external similarity to stone allows it to capture its food mainly by the "sit-and-wait" strategy. Feeds on fish and large invertebrates. Eggs and larvae pelagic. Highly venomous fish. habitat : coral and rocky habitat, usually in caves and ledges.

1st MEDITERRANEAN RECORD 2010, Israel. DISTRIBUTION Worldwide : Indo-Pacific. Mediterranean : only two specimens were recorded from Israel and Turkey. ESTABLISHMENT SUCCESS Very rare. speculated reasons for success : MODE OF INTRODUCTION Via the Suez Canal. IMPORTANCE TO HUMANS No commercial value. One of the most venomous fish in the sea, with several known fatalities. The venom glands are located at the base of the dorsal spines.

KEY REFERENCES Bilecenoğlu M., 2012.  First sighting of the Red Sea originated stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa) from Turkey. Journal of Black Sea/Mediterranean Environment, 18(1): 76-82. Edelist D., Spanier E. and Golani D., 2011. Evidence for the occurrence of the Indo-Pacific Stonefish Synanceia verrucosa in the Mediterranean Sea. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria 41(2): 129-131. FEEDBACK / COMMENTS TO AUTHORS

Last update of the species sheet: November 2013 ©ciesm 2002