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Which scorpaeniform fish families include species with venom glands on their fin spines?
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scorpaeniform
Stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa).
Within the order Scorpaeniformes, several families include species equipped with venom glands on their fin spines. These families include:
- Scorpaenidae: This family, which includes scorpion fishes and redfishes, features species with venom glands on their fin spines. This group also includes the lionfish, which possesses long, needlelike dorsal spines containing glandular venom-producing tissue.123
- Synanceiidae: Known as stonefishes, these fish are dangerously venomous and possess venom glands on their dorsal fin spines.13
- Tetrarogidae: Often referred to as sailback scorpion fishes or waspfishes, this family is noted for being extremely venomous.1
While many other scorpaeniforms can inflict painful wounds with their spines, relatively few species possess specialized venom glands.3