Stonefish

Stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa), a fish of the scorpionfish family (Scorpaenidae; Red Sea, Java, Tahiti); its bare skin is covered in warts and leaf-like skin outgrowths; the snout is turned upward. In the dorsal fin there are 13 spiny rays; the pectoral fin is very long. In each spiny ray of the fins there lies a pair of spindle-shaped venom glands in longitudinal grooves. These glands consist of a compact mass of secretory cells, interspersed with indifferent flat "supporting" cells. During the formation of secretion, part of the glandular cells completely disintegrates, and a false excretory duct is formed. The stonefish is dangerous for fishermen, who can be pricked by its fin rays. When pricked, the venom from the glands enters the human body. The result of a prick can be severe pain, swelling of the wound, lymphangitis, fever; often gangrene of the injured tissue. There have been cases of death. To protect themselves from the stonefish, fishermen in some places wear special boots. In our fauna, similar venomous properties (but weaker) are found in the sea scorpion-Scorpaena porcus and the sea dragon-Trachinus draco (both live in the Black Sea).