Tag: Venomous
Materials found: 8
Black-blotched Porcupinefish
A large porcupinefish reaching up to 65 cm in length with short, immobile spines, sandy-brown coloration, and large dark spots. Can inflate when threatened. Contains tetrodotoxin.
Diodon liturosus
Blackspotted Puffer
A marine pufferfish with a rounded body of gray, whitish, or brownish coloration and numerous black spots. Often has a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin. Inflates when threatened. Contains tetrodotoxin.
Arothron nigropunctatus
Crown-of-thorns Starfish
A large coral-eating sea star with numerous poisonous spines and 12–19 rays. Feeds on living corals and during population outbreaks can cause serious damage to reefs.
Acanthaster planci
Map pufferfish
The map pufferfish (also known as the scribbled puffer) is a large pufferfish with a "map-like" or maze-like pattern of light wavy lines on a grey to greenish-brown background. The skin has no scales but small skin spines. The teeth are fused into a strong "beak" used to crush hard prey (molluscs and crustaceans). When threatened it inflates to look larger; its tissues may contain tetrodotoxin.
Arothron mappa
Phyllidia coelestis
Phyllidia coelestis is a nudibranch (sea slug) of the family Phyllidiidae. The body is oval, up to 6 cm. Coloration is grey-blue with three longitudinal black lines: two on the sides and one in the centre that forms a characteristic Y-shaped pattern in front of the rhinophores. The back is covered with bright yellow tubercles; the rhinophores are usually yellow. By day it crawls actively over the reef and feeds on sponges; the colour is warning coloration, and many phyllidiids are toxic to predators.
Phyllidia coelestis
Phyllidia varicosa
Phyllidia varicosa is a large, colourful sea slug (nudibranch) of the family Phyllidiidae. The body is elongated-oval with 3–6 longitudinal ridges on the back bearing yellow-tipped tubercles; the ridges and tubercle bases are usually bluish-grey or blue with dark lines between them. The foot sole often has a clear dark longitudinal stripe. It lives on coral reefs and rocky areas, feeds on sponges and uses their chemicals for defence; it is considered toxic and has warning coloration.
Phyllidia varicosa
Red lionfish
The red lionfish (zebra lionfish) is a venomous reef fish of the family Scorpaenidae. It is easily recognised by its long, fan-like pectoral fins and dorsal spines with venom glands. Coloration is contrasting: white vertical stripes alternate with red, maroon or dark brown. By day it often hides in crevices and under reef overhangs; it hunts mainly at dusk and at night, ambushing small fish and crustaceans. A sting from its spines is very painful and can cause a severe reaction.
Pterois volitans
Scorpionfish
The scorpionfish is one of the most venomous yet inconspicuous members of marine fauna. These predators prefer to stay hidden and are skilled at blending into their surroundings. Coloration ranges from dull brown and yellow to bright red and orange. More than 200 known species of scorpionfish live in the coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
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