an author G H SUNTER had published the news about stonefish in Australian Newspapers Service"
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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. Stonefish stings in Australia can cause poisoning and death if not treated. The stonefish is the most venomous fish in the world.The stonefish has venom in its dorsal spines.when stepped on by a human, the venom is forced into the foot.Most stonefish stings occur when stepped on, it is less common for stings when the fish is picked up. Stonefish stings can occur on the beach, not just in the water, with stonefish being able to stay out of the water for up to 24 hours. They often cannot be seen easily as they look similar to rocks or coral. Stonefish antivenom is the second most administered in Australia.