My Stonefish PICS!!!!

[surferboi2113]

Here are a few pics of my stonefish i've had for 4 months. I've been feeding him saltwater mollies and now he accepts thawed shrimp. My favorite fish in the tank(Wife hates him...).

 

[anbosu]

Wow that thing is creepy looking. So I'm guessing that it is never leaving that tank, what with the threat of death and all.

 

[surferboi2113]

Yeah theres debate on that in the household. Wife wants it out, but honestly the coolest thing ive had in here to date. And surprisingly enough hasnt eaten any of my fish yet...fingers crossed.

Just tried to snap a few of him eating but way too fast even for my 30D. Will try again next week.

 

[FMarini]

i guess you dont live in the states, these fish are not supposed to be for sale in the US, however i see sometimes see them listed under a few names-like reef scorpionfish. The good news is your is tiny (based on that photo) and fortunately not eaten much of its tankmates.
As you know even juvenile stonefish have well developed venom glands, so obviously be smart around this fish. I suspect you are.

 

[atreyu917]

How could you hate a fish like that? Simply amazing, and cute IMO haha
Very cool guy. Definitely looking forward to more pictures in the future.

 

[namxas]

i was wondering the same thing as Frank in terms of your location, but i see you live in China. that's a very sweet fish, for sure.

i've often asked myself whether i'd acquire a stonefish is the chance ever came up, considering how mis-ID'd scorps are.

maybe if you try shooting in the multi-frame setting with the camera on a tripod, you might get one or two of the exposures to show it eating.

thanx for sharing, and more pix, please!

 

[FMarini]

acccording to my data and publication on stonefishs prey capture mechanisms, their jaws open and close in 21milliseconds.
So set your super highspeed camera to 3000 frame/sec

 

[Mustang Boy]

that is one cool looking fish i dont know what is wrong with your wife lol.


and WWWOOOOOWWWWW that is one incredible speed

 

[namxas]

acccording to my data and publication on stonefishs prey capture mechanisms, their jaws open and close in 21milliseconds.
So set your super highspeed camera to 3000 frame/sec

not quite 1/48 of a second...with a bit of luck....

 

[surferboi2113]

Haha true if they were legal in the states i'd have one much sooner. I've always had a false stonefish/scorpionfish/nohu(in hawaiian) in my tank when i lived in hawaii but never a true stonefish...but here in china pretty much anything goes. (you can even buy green sea turtle hatchlings here for $30 if you are a bit twisted or a marine biologist...)

This guy is about 3-4" right now in a 70g with a zebra dwarf lionfish and a red strip angel. Thanks for the warnings about his poison, hopefully i dont win the darwin awards one day for housing this guy.

I currently have a 3meter aquarium being made as we speak to take the place of the TV since i cant watch chinese tv. Still debating whether or not to put him in.

But looks like i'm going to have to try the video recorder as the camera only does 5fps...Will try again tomorrow or the next day with a small molly(hopefully not overfeeding in the name of reefcentral pics...)

 

[rekn]

stonefish are illegal in the us?

 

[FMarini]

i believe possession of stonefish are illegal- i dont believe the fish are.
They are on the "not for sale" list at wholesalers, however they show up w/ regularity

 

[triggerfreak]

I was wondering the same thing.My local store had one in about a year or so ago and it was about the size of a softball.Thought about getting it every time i went in there.

stonefish are illegal in the us?

 

[namxas]

i'm sure with all the mis-ID of scorps in general (they can't even get lions right), some stonies are bound to slip thru the cracks.

kinda reminds me of when piranhas became illegal and they were showing up as "buck-toothed tetras".

 

[anbosu]

I knew piranhas were illegal in Florida, are they illegal in other states too?

 

[FMarini]

let me correct myself,
Possession of stonefish is "restricted" in many if not most US states, including Hawa'ii which this is a banned fish,(couldnt find regulation for ~10 states). An aquaculture permit may be provided for medical, educational or scientific research purposes to possess these fish.
Also note that each state has varying laws as to what level these fish (and other banned or restricted animals) can be kept.

I took this quote from the Mass bylaws- to denote how different each state is

Do not assume that animals for sale in other states, including those states adjoining Massachusetts, are lawful in Massachusetts. Similarly, be wary of animals advertised for sale on the Internet or in newspapers. These animals may be lawful at the point of origin, but not in Massachusetts.

 

[namxas]

I knew piranhas were illegal in Florida, are they illegal in other states too?

they're illegal in CA, have been for a few decades.

as far as stonefish are concerned, the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach has a really nice collection. it's a large dedicated tank with a sloped top so you can view the fish from above. they have adults of about 4 or more different species.

 

[stubby 58]

I believe that piranhas are illegal in any state that the local waterways are warm enough for the fish to possibly spawn .

stubby

 

[surferboi2113]

They're definitely illegal to possess in the States including Hawaii. I've kept the species Scorpaenopsis diabolus in Hawaii, they're regularly found around the reef. The tru stonefish, however, i havent kept since i moved to China.

 

[surferboi2113]

The tru stonefish, however, i havent kept since i moved to China.

I meant until I moved...
Gonna try and get pics tonight of the feeding. Man he's fast though.