| Family: |
Synanceiidae (Stonefishes), subfamily: Choridactylinae |
| Max. size: |
25 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 5 - 80 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: Thailand to Vanuatu, north to the Ryukyu Islands (Ref. 559) and southeast China, south to Australia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 15-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 10-12. Body colors highly variable and best identified by the patterns on the fins (Ref. 48635). Lower 2 pectoral rays are entirely free and used as "walking" legs and the inner face of the fin is brightly colored (Ref. 37816).
Description: Characterized by dark mottling and spots on body; inner black zone with white streaks on inside surface of pectoral fin, with whitish middle zone and outer zone of grey to yellow with pale spots; first three dorsal spines broadly connected with membrane, remaining spines with membrane on less than basal one-third; slightly elevated eyes; absence of scales; longer snout than postorbital length; depth of body about 3.5-3.8 in SL (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Found on open sandy or silty substrates of lagoon and seaward reefs. Often buries itself and easily overlooked. Uses pectoral fins to startle predators and shows color during courtship (Ref. 48635). Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 9710). The venom of this fish can be deadly to man. Its ability to camouflage itself by living half-buried presents a real danger. Solitary on sand and mud bottoms (Ref 90102). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 August 2023 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
venomous |
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