stonefish

[ stohn-fish ]

noun

, plural stone·fish·es, (especially collectively) stone·fish.

1. a tropical scorpion fish, Synanceja verrucosa, having dorsal-fin spines from which a deadly poison is discharged.

stonefish

/ ˈstəʊnˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. a venomous tropical marine scorpaenid fish, Synanceja verrucosa, that resembles a piece of rock on the seabed

Word History and Origins

Origin of stonefish¹

First recorded in 1660–70; stone + fish

Example Sentences

“The good news about Caribbean stonefish is that, unlike those Aussie ones, they probably can’t kill yer … unless you’re, like, a baby or a very old fella. Are you either of those?”

From The Guardian

It had a comically grouchy face, but stonefish — the world’s most venomous — are no joke.

From Washington Post

The stonefish, which is known to camouflage itself in the sand near coral or other rocks, is extremely dangerous — especially to unsuspecting beachgoers who may accidentally step on the fish.

From Fox News

Recent studies found that stonefish, a group that includes many species, have a previously unknown defensive weapon: a “lachrymal saber” in each cheek that can be drawn and retracted as needed.

From Seattle Times

Inigo pursued him, hurrying past the poisoners, the spitting cobras and Gaboon vipers and, perhaps most quickly lethal of all, the lovely tropical stonefish from the ocean outside India.

From Literature