Reef stonefish
Red Sea marine life

Reef stonefish

The world's most venomous fish, camouflaged perfectly as a rock.

All Red Sea marine life

About this species

Extremely well-camouflaged on sandy bottoms and around coral rubble. The dorsal spines deliver one of the most painful and dangerous venoms in nature, life-threatening without medical attention. Almost all incidents happen when waders step on one accidentally. Always wear reef-safe shoes in shallow water.

Where to find it

Sandy bottoms, rocky areas. Hard to spot, assume present everywhere.

Safety for snorkelers

Common questions

Reef stonefish: is it dangerous for snorkelers?+

Danger. EXTREMELY VENOMOUS. Always wear water shoes in shallow areas. Stay floating.

Reef stonefish: where can you see it in Egypt?+

Sandy bottoms, rocky areas. Hard to spot, assume present everywhere. These trips go where this species lives. It is a wild animal, so a sighting is possible and never promised.

Reef stonefish: how big does it get?+

30–40 cm

More Red Sea species