Synanceia nana

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Red Sea Stonefish
Synanceia nana.JPG
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Scorpaeniformes
Family: Scorpaenidae
Genus: Synanceia
Species:
S. nana
Binomial name
Synanceia nana

Synanceia nana, the Red Sea stonefish or dwarf scorpionfish, is a species of venomous, marine ray-finned fish, a stonefish belonging to the subfamily Synanceiinae which is classified as being within the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. It is found in the northwestern Indian Ocean.

Contents

Taxonomy

Synanceia nana Was first formally described in 1973 by William N. Eschmeyer and Kaza V. Rama Rao with the type locality given as the bay at El Himeira on the Gulf of Aqaba coast of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. [2] The specific name nana means “dwarf” or “pygmy” , a reference to the relatively small size of this species. [3]

Description

Length up to 13.5 cm, described as "hazardous" due to the venom contained in its dorsal spines. Synanceia nana has 14-15 pectoral rays as well as 14 dorsal spines all possessing dark margins. [4] The anal fin is composed of three spines and four to six soft rays. [5] Dwarf scorpionfish, as the name would suggest, are relatively small compared to similar species in the genus, never exceeding 135mm. [4] Species in the genus Synanceia earn the name “stonefish” due to their gray color and dotting being similar to that of the stones and reefs they are native to. [6] Raised bumps or “warts” dot the surface. [5] They are also commonly coated in a slime that allows algae as well as sand particles to adhere to their body as a form of camouflage. [6]

Distribution

Western Indian Ocean: the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf at depths between 3.5 and 18 meters. [7] [4] [5]

Habitat

Members of the genus Synanceia are found hiding among rocks and coral in the shallow saltwater throughout temperate and tropical areas of the Indo-Pacific Region. [7] Due to their localization within waters as far North as the Red Sea, it can be inferred that dwarf scorpionfish are most comfortable in warmer waters ranging from 26 °C to 30 °C in ambient temperature. [8] Being a marine fish, Synanceia nana lives in waters with a salinity range of 37-40 ppt within its local region. [9]

Predation

Members of Synanceia are preyed on by multiple predators including sharks, rays and sea snakes. [10] This is possibly due to the venom excreted from their spines to be less effective against these specific organisms. [10]

Ecosystem roles

Not much documentation of the ecosystem effects of Synanceia nana are known, however it can be assumed with relative certainty that they play a role in population control of teleosts, polychaetes, crustaceans, and macro algae which they prey on. [11]

Behavior

Synanceia use their camouflage to blend into their environment for potential prey and to simultaneously conceal themselves from potential predators. [7] When confronted with a potential predator or being threatened, Synanceia erects its dorsal spines so that if vertical force is applied onto the spines, venom is excreted from its glands acting as a presynaptic neurotoxin. [7] Stonefish also use their camouflage for ambush predation as they half-bury themselves or sit between rocks waiting for prey. [12]

Development

With Synanceia nana being difficult to find, documentation of its life cycle has been relatively non-existent. However, it is known that members of the family Synanceiidae have been observed in a larval stage. [13] In other members of Scorpaeniformes, Scorpaena scrofa specifically, embryotic development was observed. The time between fertilization and hatching was measured at 30 hours and 25 minutes. [14]

Reproduction

While reproduction has not been well documented, reproduction is known to be carried out sexually among Scorpaeniformes due to males only possessing testes and not being sequential hermaphrodites. [15] [16]

Life span

Due to poor documentation of Synanceia nana, observation of its life span is minimal. However, in a close relative, Scorpaena notata, life spans have been documented as up to 6 years for females and up to 8 years for males. [17]

Economic importance

Members of Synanceia are not used within the legal aquarium trade due to their highly venomous nature requiring great precautions to be taken when handling them. However, Synanceia vurrucosa, a close relative has reached new regions as a potential escapee. [4] This could imply that members of Synanceia are sold in illegal aquarium trades.

Conservation status

Synanceia nana is designated “Least Concern” by IUCN Red List due to their abundance as bycatch from fisheries within the Persian Gulf region. [18] While stone fish and scorpionfish are not caught to be eaten, their venom can be denatured through cooking as it is protein based. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scorpaenidae</span> Family of fishes

The Scorpaenidae are a family of mostly marine fish that includes many of the world's most venomous species. As their name suggests, scorpionfish have a type of "sting" in the form of sharp spines coated with venomous mucus. The family is a large one, with hundreds of members. They are widespread in tropical and temperate seas but mostly found in the Indo-Pacific. They should not be confused with the cabezones, of the genus Scorpaenichthys, which belong to a separate, though related, family, Cottidae.

<i>Synanceia verrucosa</i> Species of fish

Synanceia verrucosa, the reef stonefish or simply stonefish, is a species of venomous, marine ray-finned fish, belonging to the subfamily Synanceiinae which is classified as being within the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. It is the most widespread species of stonefish, mostly found in shallow waters of the Red Sea and the Indo-Pacific. It is the deadliest fish in the sea, with highly effective venom which can be lethal to humans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Synanceiinae</span> Family of fishes

Synanceiinae is a subfamily of venomous ray-finned fishes, waspfishes, which is classified as part of the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. These fishes are found in the Indo-Pacific oceans. They are primarily marine, though some species are known to live in fresh or brackish waters. The various species of this family are known informally as stonefish, stinger, stingfish and ghouls. Its species are known to have the most potent neurotoxins of all the fish venoms, secreted from glands at the base of their needle-like dorsal fin spines. The vernacular name, stonefish, for some of these fishes derives from their behaviour of camouflaging as rocks. The type species of the family is the estuarine stonefish.

<i>Scorpaena cardinalis</i> Species of fish

Scorpaena cardinalis, the eastern red scorpionfish, grandfather hapuku, cardinal scorpionfish, Cook's scorpionfish, Cook's rockcod, Kermadec scorpionfish, Northern scorpionfish, red scorpion fish, red scorpion-cod or Sandy-bay cod, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is found in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Velvetfish</span> Family of fishes

Little velvetfishes or simply velvetfishes are a family, the Aploactinidae, of marine ray-finned fishes classified within the order Scorpaeniformes. They are small fish that have skin with a velvet texture. They live on the sea bottom close to the shore, at depths of up to 100 metres (330 ft). They are found in the Indo-Pacific region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apistinae</span> Family of fishes

Apistinae, the wasp scorpionfishes, is a subfamily of venomous, marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and related species. These fishes are native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.

<i>Scorpaena</i> Genus of fishes

Scorpaena is a widespread genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes.

<i>Synanceia</i> Genus of venomous fishes

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 the most venomous fish known; stings can be fatal to humans. They are found in the coastal regions of the Indo-Pacific.

<i>Synanceia horrida</i> Species of fish

Synanceia horrida, the estuarine stonefish, hollow-cheek stonefish, horrid stonefish, rough stonefish or true stonefish, is a species of venomous, marine ray-finned fish, a stonefish belonging to the subfamily Synanceiinae which is classified as being within the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. It is a benthic fish which is found in the Indo-Pacific region. This species is considered to be one of the most dangerous venomous fish in the world. It is a popular exhibit in public aquaria and is found in the private aquarium trade.

<i>Scorpaena scrofa</i> Species of fish

Scorpaena scrofa, the red scorpionfish, bigscale scorpionfish, large-scaled scorpion fish, or rascasse is a venomous marine species of ray-finned fish in the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is found in the Mediterranean Sea, in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the western Indian Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Small red scorpionfish</span> Species of fish

Small red scorpionfish is a venomous Scorpionfish, common in marine subtropical waters. It is widespread in the Eastern Atlantic from the Bay of Biscay to Senegal, Madeira, Azores and the Canary Islands, including the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western scorpionfish</span> Species of fish

The western scorpionfish, also known as the neglected scorpionfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is found in the western Pacific Ocean.

Scorpaena cocosensis, the Cocos scorpionfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pitted stonefish</span> Species of fishes

The pitted stonefish, also known as the Pacific monkey-fish, is a species of venomous ray-finned fish, a stonefish be longing to the subfamily Synanceiinae of the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Erosa and is found in the eastern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.

Leptosynanceia is a monotypic genus of ray-finned fish belonging to the subfamily Synanceiinae, the stonefishes, which is classified within the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and relatives, its only species is Leptosynanceia asteroblepa which is called the mangrove stonefish in Malaysia. This species native to the brackish and fresh waters of Southeast Asia. This species grows to a total length of 23 centimetres (9.1 in). This species is an extremely dangerous fish whose venom can cause a human to die within 1 to 2 hours after contact. The pain caused by the venom is described as "agonizing".

<i>Minous</i> Genus of fishes

Minous, is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes, it is the only genus in the tribe Minoini, one of the three tribes which are classified within the subfamily Synanceiinae within the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. They are commonly known as stingfishes. They are found in the Indo-West Pacific.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackfin stonefish</span> Genus of fishes

The blackfin stonefish is a species of venomous ray-finned fish, a stonefish be longing to the subfamily Synanceiinae of the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. It is the only species in the monotypic genus. It is native to the western Indian Ocean where it occurs in areas with muddy bottoms. This species grows to a total length of 13 centimetres (5.1 in).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stargazing stonefish</span> Genus of fishes

The stargazing stonefish is a species of stonefish native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean where it is found on muddy bottoms in estuaries. This venomous species is also a minor component of local commercial fisheries. This species grows to a length of 8 centimetres (3.1 in) SL. This species is the only known member of the genus Trachicephalus.

<i>Scorpaenopsis diabolus</i> Species of fish

Scorpaenopsis diabolus, the false stonefish, false scorpionfish or the devil scorpionfish, is a species of venomous marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It has venomous spines and lives in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans as well as in the Red Sea. It is a bottom-dwelling predator that relies on its camouflage to catch passing prey.

<i>Minous monodactylus</i> Species of fish

Minous monodactylus, the grey stingfish or grey goblinfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fishes, it is the only genus in the tribe Minoini, one of the three tribes which are classified within the subfamily Synanceiinae within the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. This species found in the Indo-Pacific and is venomous to humans.

References

  1. ↑ Motomura, H.; Matsuura, K. & Khan, M. (2018). "Synanceia nana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T46102308A46665204. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T46102308A46665204.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Synanceia". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  3. ↑ Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara, eds. (10 March 2022). "Order Perciformes (Part 10): Suborder Scorpaenoidei: Families Apistidae, Tetrarogidae, Synanceiidae, Aploacrinidae, Perryenidae, Eschmeyeridae, Pataceidae, Gnathanacanthidae, Congiopodidae and Zanclorhynchidae". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Edelist, D., Spanier, E. & Golani, D. 2011, "EVIDENCE FOR THE OCCURRENCE OF THE INDO-PACIFIC STONEFISH, SYNANCEIA VERRUCOSA (ACTINOPTERYGII: SCORPAENIFORMES: SYNANCEIIDAE), IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA", Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 129-131.
  5. 1 2 3 Eschmeyer, W. N. and K. V. Rama-Rao 1973 (24 Oct.) Two new stonefishes (Pisces, Scorpaenidae) from the Indo-West Pacific, with a synopsis of the subfamily Synanceiinae. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences (Series 4) v. 39 (no. 18): 343-347.
  6. 1 2 Terence Khai, W.T., Han, Z.C., Tunku Sara, T.A., Teh, K.K., Low, T.H. & Wahab, N.A. 2016, "Stonefish envenomation of hand with impending compartment syndrome", Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, vol. 11.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Saggiomo, S.L., Firth, C., Wilson, D.T., Seymour, J., Miles, J.J. & Wong, Y. 2021, "The Geographic Distribution, Venom Components, Pathology and Treatments of Stonefish (0RW1S34RfeSDcfkexd09rT2Synanceia1RW1S34RfeSDcfkexd09rT2 spp.) Venom", Marine Drugs, vol. 19, no. 6, pp. 302
  8. ↑ Banc-Prandi, G. & Fine, M. 2019, "Copper enrichment reduces thermal tolerance of the highly resistant Red Sea coral 0RW1S34RfeSDcfkexd09rT2Stylophora pistillata1RW1S34RfeSDcfkexd09rT2", Coral Reefs, vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 285-296.
  9. ↑ Hereher, M.E. 2016, "Vulnerability assessment of the Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast to climate change", Environmental Earth Sciences, vol. 75, no. 1, pp. 1-13.
  10. 1 2 Harris, R.J. and Jenner, R.A., 2019. Evolutionary ecology of fish venom: adaptations and consequences of evolving a venom system. Toxins, 11(2), p.60.
  11. ↑ Wu, Z., Zhang, X., Dromard, C.R., Tweedley, J.R. & Loneragan, N.R. 2019, "Partitioning of food resources among three sympatric scorpionfish (Scorpaeniformes) in coastal waters of the northern Yellow Sea", Hydrobiologia, vol. 826, no. 1, pp. 331-351.
  12. 1 2 Khoo, H.E., 2002. Bioactive proteins from stonefish venom. Clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology, 29(9), pp.802-806.
  13. ↑ Li, K., Yin, J., Huang, L. & Lin, Z. 2014, "Seasonal variations in diversity and abundance of surface ichthyoplankton in the northern South China Sea", Acta Oceanologica Sinica, vol. 33, no. 12, pp. 145-154.
  14. ↑ ŠEGvIĆ, T., GRUBIŠIĆ, L., KATAvIĆ, I., PALLAORO, A. and DULČIĆ, J., 2007. Embryonic and larval development of largescaled scorpionfish Scorpaena scrofa (Scorpaenidae). Cybium, 31(4), pp.465-470.
  15. ↑ Koya, Y., Hayakawa, Y., Markevich, A. & Munehara, H. 2011, "Comparative studies of testicular structure and sperm morphology among copulatory and non-copulatory sculpins (Cottidae: Scorpaeniformes: Teleostei)", Ichthyological Research, vol. 58, no. 2, pp. 109-125.
  16. ↑ Fairbairn, D.J. (2013). Odd couples: extraordinary differences between the sexes in the animal kingdom. [online] Open WorldCat. Available at: http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/820118780 [Accessed 28 Oct. 2021].
  17. ↑ Ordines, F., Quetglas, A., Massutí, E. and Moranta, J., 2009. Habitat preferences and life history of the red scorpion fish, Scorpaena notata, in the Mediterranean. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 85(4), pp.537-546.
  18. ↑ Chen, W., Almatar, S., Alsaffar, A. and Yousef, A.R. (2012). Retained and Discarded Bycatch from Kuwait’s Shrimp Fishery. Aquatic Science and Technology, 1(1)
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