stonefish

“The good news about Caribbean stonefish is that, unlike those Aussie ones, they probably can’t kill yer … unless you’re, like, a baby or a very old fella. Are you either of those?”

It had a comically grouchy face, but stonefish — the world’s most venomous — are no joke.

The stonefish, which is known to camouflage itself in the sand near coral or other rocks, is extremely dangerous — especially to unsuspecting beachgoers who may accidentally step on the fish.

Recent studies found that stonefish, a group that includes many species, have a previously unknown defensive weapon: a “lachrymal saber” in each cheek that can be drawn and retracted as needed.

The green speckled recluse doesn’t destroy as quickly as the stonefish.