How do they exist?
To this day, the actual body system and behavior of Synanceia verrucosa has not been well studied due to the immense threat of its poisonous spines. Fortunately, the reproductive habits of Synanceia verrucosa are much like its relative's, Synanceia horrida. Both species live in the same regions and the same habitat, and have the same overall mating style.
Creating New Generations
When spawning occurs, all fish sit on top of the surface of the rocks instead of burrowing in them, burrowing was covered in the habitat and nutrition pages. The female stonefish already carry eggs inside them, and when the time is right they lay them along the surface of the rocks. The unfertilized eggs are completely covered in a thick mucous layer and are rather large in diameter (about 1.55 mm) which means that when the offspring hatch they are already well developed. After the eggs are laid, the males release their sperm into the water and the eggs are fertilized.
Many marine biologists are studying stonefish reproduction more in depth to possibly begin breeding them in Japanese fisheries. Why? This is discussed on the next page, interactions. Check it out!
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