Erosa erosa (Cuvier, 1829)
Pitted stonefish
Darumaokoze
Erosa erosa
photo by Gloerfelt-Tarp, T.

Family:  Synanceiidae (Stonefishes), subfamily: Synanceiinae
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 90 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: known from scattered location from southern Japan to northern Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 14-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 5-6. Description: Characterized by having variable color, often shades of red or brown with white mottling; pectoral, pelvic, anal and caudal fins with dark cross bands and/or rows of white spots; large and rounded head; eyes lateral; extremely short snout, nearly vertical anterior profile; strongly oblique mouth; two broad spines over upper lip on lacrimal; deep occipital pit; suborbital ridge lacking distinct spines; slight hump in front of dorsal fin; depth of body 2.2 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits trawling grounds (Ref. 57406). Benthic (Ref. 75154). Anterolateral glandular grooves with venom gland (Ref. 57406).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  venomous
Country info:  Occurs in southern Japan (Ref. 559). Also Ref. 39597, 90102.


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