Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Where do stonefishes live in the Indo-Pacific region?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
scorpaeniform
Stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa).
Stonefishes of the genus Synanceia (family Synanceiidae) are found in the shallow waters of the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Within these environments, they are bottom-dwelling, sluggish fish that inhabit several specific areas:12
- Coral reefs: They are commonly found around coral formations.13
- Rocky areas: They live among rocks, where their appearance allows them to blend in with their surroundings.12
- Coastal zones: They are also found in mudflats and estuaries.12
Because they rest unmoving on the seafloor and resemble their environment in both form and color, they are difficult to detect, which poses a significant danger to those who might step on them.12