Home · Synanceiidae · Spinynose stingfish
Spinynose stingfish (Minous trachycephalus) — Synanceiidae

Spinynose stingfish

Minous trachycephalus
Family: Synanceiidae

The Spinynose stingfish (Minous trachycephalus) is a saltwater fish of the family Synanceiidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
9.0–112.0 m
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The spinynose stingfish is a stonefish relative (Synanceiidae) from shallow sand and mud water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a stocky, red-brown body with a rough, spiny head and a free, finger-like lower pectoral ray with which it 'walks' over the bottom. As a motionless, camouflaged ambush predator it lies half-buried and snaps at small crustaceans and small fish. The dorsal spines are venomous and can give a very painful puncture wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spinynose stingfish?

The Spinynose stingfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Spinynose stingfish live?

The Spinynose stingfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Spinynose stingfish get?

The Spinynose stingfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Spinynose stingfish dangerous to humans?

The Spinynose stingfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Ruwkop-duivelsteker sourced
English name
Spinynose stingfish sourced
Scientific name
Minous trachycephalus
Family
Synanceiidae
Other names
Striped stingfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
9.0 verified
Max depth (m)
112.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Minous

More from the family Synanceiidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →