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Family Scorpaenidae - Scorpionfishes

Scorpaenodes sp. - Scorpionfish

 

A Scorpionfish resting on Montipora coral at Arthur Bay.

 

Distinguishing features

A small mottled brown fish with large pectoral fins and a weedy appearance. Usually seen resting on the bottom, well camouflaged. Maximum size about 15cm.

Locations

Can be found in most bays with coral reefs.

Habitat Preferences

Coral reef flats, crests and slopes.

Biology & Ecology

The Scorpionfish is a predator on small fishes, lying in ambush and then making a rapid rush to take the prey.

DANGEROUS: The dorsal spines are poisonous, so care should be taken if approaching or handling this fish.

First Aid - Spine wound:

Papers and articles

Stephen J. Vetrano, Jeffery B. Lebowitz, and Steven Marcus. 2002. Lionfish envenomation. The Journal of Emergency Medicine, Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 379–382. .

Michio Yonedaa , Haruhiko Miurab, Manabu Mitsuhashib, Michiya Matsuyamaa & Shuhei Matsuuraa. 2000. Sexual maturation, annual reproductive cycle, and spawning periodicity of the shore scorpionfish, Scorpaenodes littoralis. Environmental Biology of Fishes 58: 307–319, 2000. .

 

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