The Stone Fish
We are very lucky to have the mighty stonefish in Hurghada. It is one of the most venomous but most fascinating fish in our oceans, and also one of the hardest to spot. They are found in the Red Sea and across the Indo-Pacific, including Indonesia and other parts of Asia. Stonefish get their name from looking like a stone, with a broad head and colours that blend into their surroundings. They are usually around 30–40 cm long, with a stocky body and a short tail.
These fish really are masters of camouflage and are hard to find with an untrained eye. You may find them close to reefs, among rocks or resting on the seabed. This is another reason never to step on a reef: you could injure yourself as well as damage coral that has taken years to grow.
We teach everyone on our PADI Open Water Course, and all divers joining us in Hurghada, to respect marine life and avoid touching anything, including the ocean floor. You never know what is there, and something hidden may hurt you.
Stonefish spend much of their time resting and waiting for prey to come close. When a small fish passes, they can open their mouths and strike incredibly quickly. Their downturned mouths give them a rather sad expression, and people sometimes mistake them for scorpionfish.
Stonefish are among the most venomous fish in our oceans. The 13 spines along their backs can inject venom and cause a serious injury. The spines are sharp and strong, so do not rely on wetsuit boots for protection. If you are stung, seek immediate emergency medical care.
Whatever you do, do not touch a stonefish. It is one of the reasons we stress keeping good buoyancy at all times. You may think there is nothing on the ocean floor, but these fish can be very difficult to see.
With all that said, stonefish are beautiful to watch from a respectful distance. They can blend into a surprising range of colours, and we have seen purple, pink and green tones on stonefish in Hurghada. Come diving with us for the chance to see them; wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
We really recommend the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Course or perhaps the PADI Advanced Course to polish your buoyancy skills. Safety always comes first at Dive UK Hurghada, and feeling comfortable in the water helps you enjoy your diving.
