The Most Venomous Fish in the World

  The Stone Fish is the most venomous fish in the world currently known.

Stonefish (Synanceia) is a genus of fish of the family Synanceiidae, whose members are venomous, dangerous, and even fatal to humans.Their name derives from the Stonefish's ability to camouflage itself with a grey and mottled color, similar to the color of a stone.They are found in the coastal regions of Indo-Pacific oceans surrounding Australia. Synanceia are primarily marine, though some species are known to live in rivers. 

Its species have potent neurotoxins secreted from glands at the base of their needle-like dorsal fin spines which stick up when disturbed or threatened. When the stonefish is disturbed, it may inject an amount of venom proportional to the amount of pressure applied to it.

It is less common for the fish to sting when it is picked up.Stonefish stings can occur on the beach, not just in the water, with Stonefish being able to stay out of the water for up to 24 hours. Most Stonefish stings occur when stepped on. They often cannot be seen easily as they look similar to rocks or coral.Swimmers may not notice them, and may inadvertently step on them, triggering a sting.

Stonefish stings can cause poisoning and lead to death if not treated. There have also been unproven reports of osteo-arthritic sufferers experiencing improved mobility and reduction in joint pain following an envenomation episode. The responsible agent has not been identified. The pain is said to be so severe that the victims of its sting want the affected limb to be amputated. After Stonefish poisoning, the amount of anti-venom given depends on the number of puncture wounds from the Stonefish spines. Keep this in mind the next time you decide to enter the Australian waters without looking where you're stepping.