Synanceiidae
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Synanceiidae Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Southern velvetfish (Aploactisoma milesii) | |
 | |
| Reef stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Suborder: | Scorpaenoidei |
| Family: | Synanceiidae Swainson, 1839 |
| Genera | |
|
See text | |
Synanceiidae[1], the stonefishes, are a family of ray-finned fish in the order Perciformes, found in the Indo-Pacific region. They are close relatives of the scorpionfishes, with both placed in the suborder Scorpaenoidei. Many members of this family, most famously the subfamily Synanceiinae, are venomous.[2][3] A majority of species in this family are marine, but some such as Notesthes robusta inhabit freshwater habitats.
All synanceiids share the unique defense mechanism of a "lachrymal saber", a switchblade-like spine found under each eye (being attached to the lachrymal bone) that can be projected forwards via movement of the maxilla.[1][4]
