Lacey Scorpionfish (Rhinopias aphanes)

Also known as Firefish, Goblinfish, Lacy Firefish, Lacy Goblinfish, Lacy Rockfish, Lacy Stingfish, Merlot Scorpionfish, Merlet's Scorpionfish, Stingfish, Weedy Scorpionfish

Description

Also known as Firefish, Goblinfish, Lacy Firefish, Lacy Goblinfish, Lacy Rockfish, Lacy Stingfish, Merlot Scorpionfish, Merlet's Scorpionfish, Stingfish, Weedy Scorpionfish.

Found singly, over soft bottomed coral slopes, of lagoons and coastal reefs. Walks rather than swims.
They feed on crustaceans and small fish.
Length - 25cm
Depth - 5-30m
Widespread Western Pacific

This rare Scorpionfish is exactly as described "Lacy" with upturned mouth tentacles and skin flaps everywhere.

Scorpionfish are masters of camouflage, enabling them to lie in wait for their victims to come close, before lunging forward and inhaling their prey with their large mouths.
When disturbed they raise the spines along their backs and will usually move off out of harms way, however, if cornered they are able to charge at considerable speed.
Highly dangerous and poisonous with venomous spines along its back if trodden on etc. Ref: https://www.fishbase.de/summary/12898

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