| Family: |
Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae |
| Max. size: |
23 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 297 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: South Africa (off Durban) east to southern Japan, the Caroline Islands, and eastern Australia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-5. Highly variable in color and in appendages in relation to habitat. Covered with appendages on algae reefs, but plain when deep with sponges (Ref. 48635). Body highly compressed and covered with weed-like tassels (Ref. 37816).
Description: Characterized by having strongly oblique and upturned mouth; concave snout; dorsal spines relatively soft and easily bendable with slight pressure; depth of body 2.1-2.4 in SL (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Found in rich soft-bottom habitats in current prone channels (Ref. 48635); also in rocky or coralline habitats near algae where it camouflages itself. Hunts prey at night like other species of scorpaenids, feeding on fish and small invertebrates. Solitary among corals, rocks and weeds (Ref 90102). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
venomous |
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