Scare as deadly stonefish found at old port of Mombasa city

Scare as deadly stonefish found at old port of
Mombasa city
GLANCE FACTS
Characteristics of the stonefish
It is the most venomous fish known and is up to 35 centimetres long. 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 that stick up when disturbed
or threatened. The vernacular name of the species, the stonefish, derives from the stonefish’s
ability to camouflage itself with a grey and mottled colour similar to the natural colour of stones.
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 poisoning. When the stonefish is disturbed,
it may inject an amount of venom proportional to the amount of pressure applied to it.
By Linah Benyawa
Standard Monday November 26, 2012
Visitors to beaches in the coastal city of Mombasa will now have to keep a watchful eye
following the emergence of a stonefish. Authorities have issued a stern warning saying the
heavily poisonous fish has washed up the shores of Mombasa’s old port, occasioning a scare
among fisheries authorities, swimmers and consumers. Foreign and local tourists visiting the

Kenyan Coast this festive season have been cautioned to be careful while at the beaches after the
venomous species of fish was found at the sea. Belonging to the marine genus Synanceia, the
stonefish delivers a poison or neurotoxin that is fatal to humans through glands in its dorsal fin.
A fish biologist, Rashid Anam, warned on Sunday that this is “the most venomous fish in the
world”, with its sting being highly dangerous and “known to cause death”. Anam, a marine
scientist at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Institute, warned on Sunday that the most vulnerable
victims of the fish’s sting are swimmers because the stonefish is a master of camouflage. He said
most victims are reef walkers while clad in either flimsy shoes or without shoes. “Those visiting
the beaches should be very cautious and should not walk barefooted since the fish sometimes
buries itself in sand and once stepped on, the sting is poisonous leading to death if one is not
treated immediately,” he added. On Sunday, fishermen at the old port of Mombasa netted the fish
and immediately warned swimmers about the looming danger. The fish, which had human-like
features such as a nose, two eyes and a mouth, shocked locals. Fisherman Abbas Musa, who
accidentally caught the fish in his net, was shocked to find the rare species.
Rare and poisonous
“This type of fish is very rare and poisonous. It cannot even be touched due to its venomous
nature and that’s why we were shocked to net it,” said Musa. He added that locals did not need to
be alarmed, but should be aware and cautious. Old Town Fishermen Association chair Akbar
Khan warned that when disturbed, the fish releases the poison that spreads fast all over the leg.
This could lead to amputation if a victim is not treated on time. “The fish can sometimes
camouflage itself on rocks and one could step on it unknowingly while standing on the rocks.
That is why we are asking foreigners, domestic tourists and locals to be on the lookout while at
the beaches,” said Kana. The stonefish is said to be a predator that normally hides from its prey,
mainly small fish. It also uses its spines to defend itself against bottom-dwelling stingrays and
sharks that may try to eat it. Anam warned that the fish’s main habitat is on coral reefs and
around dull, coloured plants. “The stonefish can survive out of water for up to 24 hours and due
to its camouflage nature, it can hide in mud hence becoming dangerous even to children who like
playing with mud,” he warned.