Synanceia

''Synanceia'' is a genus of ray-finned fish belonging to the subfamily Synanceiinae, the stonefishes, which is classified within the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and relatives. Stonefishes are venomous, dangerous, and fatal to humans. They are the most venomous fish known. They are found in the coastal regions of the Indo-Pacific.

Taxonomy

''Synanceia'' was first described as a genus in 1801 by the German naturalists Marcus Elieser Bloch and Johann Gottlob Theaenus Schneider with ''Scorpaena horrida'', which had been described by Carl Linnaeus in 1766 from Ambon Island (Indonesia), as its type species. The genus ''Synanceia'' is classified within the tribe Synanceiini which is one of three tribes in the subfamily Synanceeinae within the family Scorpaenidae. However, other authorities regard Synanceiidae as a valid family and the Synanceiini as the subfamily Synanceiinae. The genus name ''Synanceia'' is made up of ''syn'', meaning "with", and ''angeíon'', which means "cavity", an allusion to the large, cavernous heads of the species considered to be in the genus.

Species

''Synanceia'' contains the following species:

Habitat and characteristics

''Synanceia'' are primarily marine, and although some species are known to live in rivers, most live in coral reefs near the tropical Pacific and Indian oceans. The species has potent neurotoxins secreted from glands at the base of their needle-like dorsal fin spines which stick up when disturbed or threatened. The vernacular name of the species, the stonefish, derives from its grey and mottled camouflage similar to the color of a stone. Swimmers may not notice them and inadvertently step on them, triggering a sting. When the stonefish is disturbed, it may inject an amount of venom proportional to the amount of pressure applied to it.
Stonefish have the ability to extend sharp, specialized spines (lachrymal saber) as an additional defense mechanism.

Venom

The venom of ''Synanceia'' consists of a proteinaceous toxin called verrucotoxin (VTX), which modulates Ca²⁺ channel activity through the β-adrenoceptor-cAMP-PKA pathway. In humans stings can cause intense pain, respiratory weakness, damage to the cardiovascular system, convulsions and paralysis, sometimes they can lead to death. However the exact mechanism is not yet fully understood.

Treatment of envenomation

Stonefish stings are extremely painful and potentially lethal. The two most recommended treatments are the application of heat to the affected area, and antivenom. Hot water (at a temperature of at least ) applied to the injured area has been found to denature stonefish venom, and causes minimal discomfort to the victim. Antivenom is used in more extreme cases. Vinegar is found on some Australian beaches as it is said to lessen the pain.

Stonefish stings in Australia

The stonefish is the most venomous known fish in the world and stings can cause death if not treated. Most stonefish stings occur as a result of stepping on the creature which forces venom into the foot, while it is less common for the fish to sting when it is picked up. Stonefish stings can occur on the beach, not just in the water, since stonefish can survive out of the water for up to 24 hours. They are not easily seen as they look similar to rocks or coral. Stonefish antivenom is the second-most administered in Australia.

Some Indigenous Australians have corroborees which involve re-enacting the death of someone who trod on the fish. The Aboriginal people of Northern Australia and the Great Barrier Reef have ways of preparing the fish for eating to avoid poisoning.The Poisonous Stone Fish Dreaded Denizen of the North
The Argus 14 March 1936

After stonefish envenomation the amount of anti-venom given depends on the number of puncture wounds from the stonefish spines.

Number of incidents

There were 25 cases of the use of antivenom for stonefish reported to Commonwealth Serum Laboratories for a one-year period between July 1989 and June 1990, with most from Queensland and four from the Northern Territory. There were 14 calls to the Queensland Poisons Information System in 2008 regarding stonefish poison.annual report 2008
Queensland Poisons Information Centre

Fatal incidents

As food

''Synanceia'' is edible to humans if properly prepared. The protein-based venom quickly breaks down when heated, and raw stonefish served as part of sashimi is rendered harmless simply by removing the dorsal fins which are the main source of venom. The fish are considered a delicacy in many parts of Asia, including south Japan, south Fujian, Guangdong in China, and Hong Kong. In the Hokkien-speaking area, they are considered delicacies and good for health. The meat of ''Synanceia'' is white, dense and sweet, and the skin is also edible. They are usually cooked with ginger into a clear soup, and sometimes served raw as sashimi.

References

Further reading

FishBase entry
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External links

National Geographic video, Deadly Stone Fish

Reef Stonefish, Synanceia verrucosa
Australian museum

{{Taxonbar, from=Q13396094

Animal attacks in Australia
Fish attacks
Synanceiini

Fish of the Pacific Ocean
Fish of the Indian Ocean
Fish of Australia
Marine fish genera
Taxa named by Marcus Elieser Bloch
Taxa named by Johann Gottlob Theaenus Schneider