Many different species use venom as a survival technique, usually to defend themselves against predators. Venom are delivered through the likes of a bite, sting, spines or even claws.
Snakes and jellyfish are probably the quickest venomous animals that come to mind, but this defence and attack mechanism can be found in many other families across the animal kingdom. Here we’ll have a look at some of the venomous fish that exist in our waters, which you can also see right here at Hastings Aquarium!
What are venomous fish?
Fish typically release venom through dorsal spines, but on the whole it is purely for defence. The venom is kept in glands, using a delivery system like a barb or spine to sting. There are thought to be around 1,200 species of venomous fish, including all octopus species, weever fish and stonefish.
The mixture of toxins produced by venomous fish can be lethal, but in most cases the species will only produce it if they feel threatened or vulnerable.
Which venomous fish are at Hastings Aquarium?
Here at Hastings Aquarium we have an incredible array of species to help you learn more about the world and its waterways, which includes some fascinating venomous fish. Let’s take a closer look at some of these.
Rabbitfish
Rabbitfish (Siganus) are the only living genus in the family Siganidae. Also known as spinefoot fish, they are a small family that are part of the wider order Perciformes. There are around 30 species of rabbitfish, most of which are found in tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific.
Rabbitfish are characterised by the rabbit-like appearance of the jaws, large head and tapering body.
Here at Hastings Aquarium we have a number of species from the rabbitfish family, including:
- Foxface rabbitfish (Siganus vulpinus): Also known as the black face rabbitfish, badger fish or common foxface, this species is typically found in the Western Pacific including the Great Barrier Reef and Indonesia. You can recognise it by its primarily yellow body with black and white colouring on its head.
- Black spot foxface (Siganus unimaculatus): Also known as the blotched foxface, this species can be found in lagoons and reefs, sometimes living amongst staghorn corals in the Western Pacific. Again, this species is mostly yellow in colour, with striped black and white markings on its head.
- Orange spot rabbitfish (Siganus guttatus): Also known as the orange-spotted spinefoot, this species is found across the Eastern Indian Ocean and Western Pacific. Its body features a spotted appearance with a noticeable bright yellow spot near its dorsal fin. It also has lines on its head.
- Blue scrawled rabbitfish (Siganus puellus): Also known as the masked spinefoot, this species is a yellow-orange in colour with a prominent black bar on its head. Its body is marked with sinuous blue lines, hence its name. It is usually found throughout the Indo-West Pacific, living in shallow lagoons and reefs.
- Orange line rabbitfish (Siganus doliatus): Also known as the barred spinefoot, this species occurs in the Western Pacific and features a blue-silver body with sinuous orange lines.
The rabbitfish are equipped with venomous spines in their dorsal and anal fins. Typically there are 13 spines along the dorsal fin, with 7 spines along the anal fin.
Lionfish
Lionfish are a genus of venomous fish known as Pterois, part of the wider Scorpaenidae family which contains some of the most venomous fish in the world. This includes stonefish and scorpionfish.
There are thought to be 12 species within the Pterois genus. They are native to the Indo-Pacific, but some of which are now invasive species in the Atlantic. Here at Hastings Aquarium we have the red lionfish (Pterois volitans) for you to learn more about!
The red lionfish features red and white stripes with long, flowing pectoral fins. It looks visually striking on purpose, something that’s known as aposematic colouring, to alert potential predators of their deadly venom. This species has 18 dorsal fins that deliver its venom, although it is typically just used in defence.
While they are native to the Indo-Pacific, red lionfish have found their way around the world including around the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. They have even been spotted in the Mediterranean!
So, if you’re hoping to see some of these magnificent and colourful creatures for yourself, book your tickets for Hastings Aquarium today and check out our incredible exhibits featuring lionfish, rabbitfish and more.