Striped Surgeonfish
The striped surgeonfish is an attractive Indo-Pacific reef
fish that’s best handled with care because its caudal spine is venomous.
Scientists believe that the world’s seas hold some 1,200 different venomous
fish species and estimate that they injure about 50,000 people per year. But
fish venoms can also bring great benefit - they are useful in the development
of new drugs.



















