Memoirs of the Queensland Museum – Nature 66

The palatability of stonefish (Synanceia spp.) ichthyocrinotoxins to potential predators

Lennox-Bulow, D., Courtney, R., Zieth, J. & Seymour, J.

Published: 22 May 2025

Citation

Lennox-Bulow, D., Courtney, R., Zieth, J. & Seymour, J. (2025). The palatability of stonefish (Synanceia spp.) ichthyocrinotoxins to potential predators. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum – Nature 66: 12–21. https://doi.org/10.17082/zzqd4328

Accepted

24 April 2025

Published

22 May 2025

Peer reviewed

Yes

DOI

https://doi.org/10.17082/zzqd4328

Keywords

toxins, geographic variation, predator defence, feeding behaviour.

Abstract 

Numerous fish species are known to utilise ichthyocrinotoxins to defend themselves against predators, often by deterring the predator from feeding on them. This study investigated whether stonefish ichthyocrinotoxins act as antifeedants by assessing its effect on the feeding behaviours of two potential predators of stonefish: lionfish and morays. Food laced with either Synanceia horrida (Estuarine Stonefish) or Synanceia verrucosa (Reef Stonefish) ichthyocrinotoxin were highly palatable (>85% food acceptance) to both predator types, demonstrating similar acceptance rates as untreated food (>95% food acceptance). In contrast, food coated in Diploprion bifasciatum (Barred Soapfish) ichthyocrinotoxin, a known antifeedant used experimentally as a positive control, prompted high rejection rates (<10% food acceptance). These results suggest that stonefish ichthyocrinotoxins may not play a significant role in antifeedant defence. Stonefish ichthyocrinotoxins also exhibited a greater adhesion to prawn fillets (>45% retention), compared to soapfish ichthyocrinotoxin (27% retention), which may reflect differences in their ecological functions and/or application mechanisms. The findings of this study have expanded our understanding of stonefish toxin ecology.

Shop Memoirs of the Queensland Museum

Purchase a paperback copy of our Memoirs of the Queensland Museum volumes online or in-store from the Queensland Museum Shop.

Shop now

You might be interested in