These fish are in the genus Synanceja . Again, they are shallow water dwellers, inhabiting tide pools and shoal reefs in India, China, Japan, the Philippines and Australia. Like the scorpionfish, they are excellent ambush predators. They sit motionless in the Download Jpeg 42k sand, with only their eyes exposed. They also frequent coral crevices and hide under rocks.
Many people refer to stonefish as ugly because they are covered with bumpy, warty, slimy skin.
Their glaring red eyes and wide, gaping mouth do not do much to improve the appearance. Because they resemble a clump of mud, debris or algae-covered stone, it is extremely difficult to detect them. Stonefish have been associated with many fatalities throughout history. Worldwide records from 1889 show that the fish were responsible for 7 deaths out of 25 known injuries. The short spines are hidden within the thick warty skin.