Choridactylus multibarbus Richardson, 1848
Orangebanded stingfish
Choridactylus multibarbus
photo by Aitken, K.

Family:  Synanceiidae (Stonefishes), subfamily: Choridactylinae
Max. size:  14 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 64.0 g
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range - 40 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, eastwards to Pakistan, India, Gulf of Thailand, China and the Philippines. Reported as likely at Seychelles (Ref. 1623) but Randall and van Egmond 1994 (Ref. 10685) believe otherwise.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Description: Characterized by uniformly brown to reddish or yellow color with darker mottling, scattered dark brown to blackish spots; about five oblong white areas surrounded by black pigment on inner surface of pectoral fin; free lower three pectoral rays and detached from remainder of fin; absence of scales on body; small head with blunt anterior profile; slightly elevated eyes; small mouth, slightly oblique; depressed areas at occiput extending across nape and behind eyes; short snout, slightly longer than orbit; depth of body about 2.8 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits sand or mud bottoms. Sold in small quantities either fresh or dried salted in markets.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 June 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  venomous


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