Spotted Scorpionfish (Scorpaena plumieri)

Also known as Barbfish, Gurnard, Pacific Spotted Scorpionfish, Prickly Hind, Spotted Stone Scorpionfish, Stinging Grouper, Stone Scorpionfish

Description

Also known as Barbfish, Gurnard, Pacific Spotted Scorpionfish, Prickly Hind, Spotted Stone Scorpionfish, Stinging Grouper, Stone Scorpionfish.

Found singly or in pairs, during the day well camouflaged, often lying motionless on the bottom, dispersing at night hunting for food, over shallow, coral and rocky reefs.
They feed nocturnally on crustaceans and small fish.
Length - 45cm
Depth - 1-55m
Widespread Eastern Atlantic, Western Atlantic

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.se/summary/1201

3 comments

  1. Posted by Teresa
    May 20, 2015 at 14:23 pm - 1 person found this useful.

    I caught, what I think, is a scorpion fish. Can anyone help me ID it from photos?

  2. Posted by Teresa
    May 20, 2015 at 14:23 pm - 1 person found this useful.

    I caught, what I think, is a scorpion fish. Can anyone help me ID it from photos?

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Known Sightings / Photograph Locations

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