Fish in the Family Scorpaenidae are bottom dwellers and are masters at the art of camouflage. Their dorsal, pelvic and anal spines are able to inject poison from a poison-producing tissue along the spine. The effects of this fish family are two-fold. They can inflict venomous stings AND cause toxic tank poisoning, both of which can kill other tank inhabitants. As far as human interaction, stings are usually not fatal (unless you are allergic to the toxin), but are extremely painful and can sometimes persists months after the event occurs. Immediate steps can be taken to lessen the effects of a Stonefish sting, but time seems to be the key to recovery.
The Volitans Lionfish (Pterois volitans) is probably the most common Scorpionfish species kept by saltwater aquarists. The Hawaiian Turkeyfish (Pterois sphex) and the Hawaiian or Green/Dwarf Lionfish (Dendrochirus barberi) are two of the most common Scorpionfishes found in Hawaiian waters, and are kept by aquarists as well. Lionfish stings are not fatal (unless you are allergic to the venom), but can be nasty to deal with. As far as the potency of their poison, no telling what it might to do your other tank inhabitants. I remember when I was working in a doctors office (long before I knew anything about saltwater aquariums) and we had a tank in the waiting room with two beautiful Volitans Lionfish in it, along with some other nice marine critters. One day just before our lunch hour the maintenance guy came to clean the tank and got stung. He immediately took himself to the emergency room, as he was in extreme pain and his hand started to redden and swell up. When we returned from our lunch hour, EVERYTHING in the tank was dead!! No matter how hard we tried to re-establish the tank with new saltwater animals, everything just kept dying. The doctor finally got fed up, completely striped the tank and started over with a freshwater tank, with no further problems after doing so. In regards to the maintenance guy, he was fine, but complete recovery from the injury took some time. Make note, it is wise to wear rubber gloves for protection when dealing with any potential stinging marine animal.
The docile looking Leaf fish falls into this family, so caution is advised when dealing with these fish as well.
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