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Onestick stingfish (Minous coccineus) — Synanceiidae

Onestick stingfish

Minous coccineus
Family: Synanceiidae

The Onestick stingfish (Minous coccineus) is a saltwater fish of the family Synanceiidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–80.0 m
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The Onestick stingfish is a stinging fish (Synanceiidae) from shallow coastal and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a stocky, strongly camouflaged body with skin flaps and loose, finger-like lower pectoral rays with which it 'walks' over the bottom. As an ambush predator it lies half-buried on sand and mud bottoms. The dorsal spines are venomous and can give a very painful puncture wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Onestick stingfish?

The Onestick stingfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Onestick stingfish live?

The Onestick stingfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Onestick stingfish get?

The Onestick stingfish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Onestick stingfish dangerous to humans?

The Onestick stingfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Scharlaken-stekelvis sourced
English name
Onestick stingfish sourced
Scientific name
Minous coccineus
Family
Synanceiidae
Other names
Onestick stingfish; Scarlet stinger; Spotted stingfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
80.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Minous

More from the family Synanceiidae

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