In the underwater world inhabits more than 1200 species of poisonous fish, which are found mainly in tropical sea waters. These dangerous vertebrates produce strong highly toxic substances that are harmful to humans and other living creatures, and release them through spikes, fins, fangs for protection or hunting.

Poisonous fish have either a bright color, warning their enemies about the threat, or an inconspicuous color that allows them to disguise themselves as an environment, waiting for approaching prey. Find out the 5 most poisonous fish in the world from this list to avoid personal injury and poisoning.

Scorpion

Scorpion (sea ruff) is a poisonous marine fish of the Scorpion family, which is common in tropical and temperate seas (including the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea), but is most often found in the Indo-Pacific region. Scorpions have stings in the form of sharp spikes, which are covered with poisonous mucus; the bones of the dorsal and pelvic fins of the fish contain poisonous glands. Scorpion reaches an average of 30 cm in length and 1 kg in weight.

Sea ruffs are bottom fish that feed on crustaceans, mollusks, and smaller fish. They prefer to be in shallow water, where they camouflage themselves under stones and coral reefs. Scorpions go hunting at night. Their stings deliver inflammation, severe pain, swelling, which often spreads to the entire leg or arm in a matter of minutes.

Block cube

The cube-body (box-fish) belongs to the Kuzovkov family and lives in the reefs of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans. This fish grows up to 45 cm and is easily recognized by the cubic shape of the body: on the sides there are fused bony plates covered with thin skin that form a carapace. The bright yellow color and black spots on the body of this fish warn predators about the threat.

Boxed fish feed on algae, crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish. The bodies are also bred in aquariums.

Under stress or a feeling of threat, a box-cube releases a toxin from the skin into the water, poisoning the surroundings. Fish secretes poison ostracitoxin, which destroys red blood cells, disrupting the function of the respiratory system.

Lionfish

Lionfish (zebra fish) is a poisonous fish belonging to the Scorpion family, which lives in the ecosystem of the reefs of the Pacific and Indian oceans. Recently, zebra lionfish have spread on the Atlantic coast of the United States, which, according to wildlife researchers, is the result of damage to aquariums caused by hurricane Andrew in 1992. These fish grow up to 40 cm in length and weigh up to 1.2 kg. Their life expectancy is from 5 to 15 years.

Lion fish has more characteristic red, brown and white stripes on the body. She has large pectoral and elongated dorsal fins, which she uses to puncture victim tissue and inject venom. Injections of poisonous thorns cause severe pain, swelling, difficulty breathing. Large doses of poison in extreme cases lead to cardiac arrest.

Pufferfish

Pufferfish (puffer fish) is a member of the Skalozubov family, which includes over 90 species of fish that have the ability to swell, gaining a large amount of water or air, and release sharp spikes in danger. Pufferfish live in areas of warm and temperate climates, mainly in the seas, but are also found in freshwater rivers in America, Asia and Africa.

The largest puffer fish grow up to 90 cm in length, but most representatives of this species, as a rule, are smaller (5-65 cm). Their jaws consist of 4 fused teeth, forming a coracoid form. These fish feed on algae and invertebrates.

Pufferfish has a strong toxin tetrodotoxin, concentrated in the skin and internal organs (intestines, liver, calves, gonads) and is 1200 times stronger than cyanide. Tetrodoxin is a neurotoxic poison that affects the brain, causes weakness, paralysis and even death at a low concentration (2 mg).

Despite the toxicity and danger of pufferfish, its meat is a delicacy in Japan, Korea and China. In Japan, a dish of this fish is called "puffer." It is prepared only by licensed chefs who carefully cleanse the fish of toxins.

The most poisonous fish in the world

Stone fish (wart), belonging to the Scorpion family, - the most poisonous fish in the world. This is a bottom fish that lives in the shallow water of the tropical Indo-Pacific region. It has a warty surface, gray color and looks like a stone (hence the name), mixing with the natural environment and disguising itself on the seabed, like scorpions.

The wart has 13 needle-shaped dorsal fins through which it delivers poison to the victim. The amount of poison released depends on the pressure applied to the fish. The average fish length is 30-40 cm, weight - up to 2 kg. The wart is motionless on a sandy or rocky bottom, awaiting the approach of prey (fish, crustaceans).

Because of its appearance, fish-stone is not visible on the seabed, so there is a risk of accidentally stepping on it and getting injured. The entry of poison into the human body leads to rapid swelling, temporary paralysis, muscle weakness, and tissue damage. The wounds received from the spikes of these fish are extremely painful and sometimes fatal.

The list of the most poisonous fish includes scorpion, a cube box, a lionfish, a pufferfish, and stonefish, which is the most poisonous fish in the world. These fish are found in the coastal waters of the Black, Red, Mediterranean and other seas. Therefore, it is imperative to observe the rules of bathing, so as not to harm health. For example, in the Red Sea you can’t swim in the evening and at night, as poisonous predators go hunting at this time.