Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

Synanceiidae

Synanceiidae

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CAAB: 37287000

Family SYNANCEIIDAE

Stonefishes


Compiler and date details

1 April 2015 - Dianne J. Bray, Gerald R. Allen, Douglass F. Hoese & Norbert J. Cross

Gerald R. Allen, Douglass F. Hoese, Norbert J. Cross & Dianne J. Bray

Introduction

The Synanceiidae, commonly referred to as stonefishes, comprise seven genera and 23 species worldwide (Nelson 1994) . Five genera and 11 species are known from Australian waters.

Stonefishes are confined to the Indo-west-central Pacific. They are found in a variety of coastal habitats, including coral reefs, estuaries, fresh waters, and soft bottom environments on the continental shelf. Maximum size is 60 cm, but most species are less than 15 cm.

The Synanceiidae have been placed as a subfamily of the Scorpaenidae (Nelson 1994, 2006), but are here dealt with as a separate family. Nelson (1994) noted similarities of subfamilies of the Scorpaenidae, including the fact that all species have venom glands near the bases of the dorsal spines. Stonefish stings are extremely painful and sometimes fatal. Eschmeyer et al. (1979) revised Minous, Inimicus and Choridactylus and Eschmeyer & Rama Rao (1973) treated several genera. Many Australian species are treated in Poss (1999).

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
06-May-2015 SCORPAENIFORMES 01-Apr-2015 MODIFIED Dr Dianne Bray (NMV) Dr Doug Hoese (AM) Dr Matthew Lockett (AM)
12-Feb-2010 (import)