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Little is known about the biological activity and composition of marine fish venoms, due to the difficulties in obtaining, storing and extracting venom samples.The National University of Singapore performed the first purification of the stonefish venom, because stonefish stings have been responsible for a number of deaths and severe poisoning cases in the local area. [1]
The stonefish, Synanceia verrucosa, has a diverse set of toxins that disrupts basic human ability. When injected with the toxins found in the dorsal fins of the fish, individuals will suffer from skeletal muscle paralysis , extreme pain, seizures , convulsions , respiratory arrest , and damage to the cardiovascular system . [ 1 ]
The protein makeup differs between the three species of stonefish, but in reef stonefish the fatal protein is the verrucotoxin protein. [15] Effects of the venom include severe pain, shock, paralysis, and tissue death. [14] A large dose can be fatal to humans, generally young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
Synanceia is a genus of ray-finned fish belonging to the subfamily Synanceiinae, the stonefish, which is classified within the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfish and relatives. Stonefish are the most venomous fish known; stings can be fatal to humans. [2] [3] They are found in the coastal regions of the Indo-Pacific.
The most venomous known fish is the reef stonefish. It is an ambush predator which waits camouflaged on the bottom. The beautiful and highly visible lionfish uses venomous barbs around its body as a defence against predators. The stargazer buries itself out of sight. It can deliver electric shocks as well as venom. The stinger of a stingray
A deadly pufferfish hospitalized an entire family who unintentionally consumed the poisonous fish for dinner. According to Brazil's Globo News, eleven members of the Souza family ate a pufferfish ...
Stonefish sting lethality in man has been scarcely documented since the middle of the 20th century. We report three clinical cases, including one fatality, emphasizing the cardiovascular toxicity of the Synanceia verrucosa venom, and its potentially lethal effects.
Human swimmers and surfers have already been told to remain out of the water, and the toxins will likely have long-term impacts on water quality and marine life, including on dolphins.