Mar 19, 2014
"Demon Stinger" (Inimicus didactylus)
Also known as the "Devil's Stinger" or Bearded Ghoul Inimicus didactylus is a venomous species of stonefish (Synaceiidae) that is distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific. Bearded Ghouls typically inhabit sandy or silty substrates of lagoons and seaward reefs and are often seen buried into the sand. They are predators and will feed on a variety of small fish and crustaceans. Their venom can be deadly to humans and efficient camouflage makes them very difficult to spot.
Classification
Animalia-Chordata-Actinopterygii-Scorpaeniformes-Synaceiidae-Inimicus-I. didactylus
Images: Bjoertvedt and Silke Baron