Lionfish were likely introduced along the Atlantic coast through aquarium releases.Ĥ. Most lionfish naturally reside in the Indo-Pacific but they have become an invasive species in recent years most notably along the Atlantic coast of the United States where they are having a major impact on Atlantic coral-reef communities. A sting from these fish can cause extreme pain, swelling, and in very severe cases, cardiovascular collapse. These conspicuous fish have venomous dorsal, anal, and pelvic spines covered by a loose sheath that moves down and compresses venom glands when the spine punctures tissue. Lionfish were thought to be the most venomous fish until recent years when stonefish stole the title. A sting from one of these fish can cause excruciating pain, rapid swelling, tissue death, muscle weakness, temporary paralysis, and in very rare cases death.Ī venomous reef stonefish camouflaged as a rock in the Indian Ocean. They reside in the Indo-Pacific region and northern Australia. Venom is involuntarily expelled when pressure is placed on the fish and the more pressure the more venom. They deliver their venom through a row of spines on their back that can be extended when threatened (or stepped on). They often resemble encrusted stones (hence the name), blending into their natural environment with ease. Stonefish have usurped the title of ‘Most Venomous Fish’ in recent years. Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark. SourceĪ blue-spotted puffer ( Canthigaster solandri) photographed at Pure Aquariums in Lincoln, Nebraska. However, only highly trained and certified chefs are allowed to prepare this fish for consumption a common practice in Japan where pufferfish are considered a delicacy.Ī Valentin’s sharpnose puffer (Canthigaster valentini) photographed at Pure Aquariums in Lincoln, Nebraska. This toxin is found in the fish’s liver, ovaries, intestines and skin, leaving muscle tissue with relatively low and somewhat safe levels to eat. Tetrodotoxin is neurotoxic and inhibits neural transmission leading to weakness, paralysis, and even death at relatively low concentrations (~2mg). The toxin responsible for ranking this fish so high in the “danger zone” is called tetrodotoxin. Pufferfish (some species are also called toadfish) have been given the title ‘Most Poisonous Fish’ and have also been labeled the second most poisonous vertebrate in the world. It is also important to note that the affects from a venomous fish sting can often be relieved by immersing the wound in hot water (~105–115F) because these toxins are heat labile (meaning they can be destroyed or altered by heat).ġ. A common example given to clarify this difference is that frogs are poisonous while snakes are venomous. A venomous animal has a means of injecting their toxin into another animal, whereas a poisonous animal can only deliver their toxin in a more passive manner (by being touched or eaten). Poisonous and venomous are terms often used interchangeably but they have different meanings. I was sitting in a rusted-out wheelchair, swathed in a towel like a newborn, with Jay’s enormous straw gardening hat flopped crooked on my head.First though let’s clarify some terminology. “If the water isn’t hot enough, the poison’s going to spread further.” “The venom is nearly totally protein, so we basically have to cook your foot, hun,” he said, rubbing my shaking shoulders. He kept one arm wrapped around my shoulder while the other held my leg still. Jay, who owned the surf camp, had seen this before.

I imagined my blood mixing with the toxin, shaken together like a deadly vinaigrette. Each beat was pushing the poison further around my body.

I could hear my heart: thump-thump, thump-thump. It had taken all of my strength just to run the couple hundred meters from the surf spot back to camp. My body was convulsing, my mind slipping in and out of consciousness with each contraction.

Poison stone fish