Reef stonefish

Raja Empat, Papua, Indonesia

Fuji F2 105 mm, 1/125 @ f/10

There are two deadly individuals shown here. A third stonefish was just out of the frame. If you can't make out what's fish and what isn't, look under the coil of rope on the left. Identify a crescent-shaped downturned line full of teeth - that's the mouth. The other stonefish is just to the right.

These highly camouflaged killers were under a jetty in less than 7 feet of water. I've once seen a stonefish on white sand just inches deep, at the water's edge. Barefoot waders take heed, and stop worrying about harmless sharks. This is the most venomous fish in the world, and it really can kill you.