Tassled Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis oxycephalus)

Also known as Firefish, Flathead Scorpionfish, Goblinfish, Smallscale Firefish, Smallscale Goblinfish, Smallscale Rockfish, Smallscale Scorpionfish, Smallscale Stingfish, Stingfish,Tasseled Goblinfish, Tasseled Rockfish, Weedy Stingfish

Description

Also known as Firefish, Flathead Scorpionfish, Goblinfish, Smallscale Firefish, Smallscale Goblinfish, Smallscale Rockfish, Smallscale Scorpionfish, Smallscale Stingfish, Stingfish,Tasseled Goblinfish, Tasseled Rockfish, Weedy Stingfish.

Found singly, well camouflaged and blending in with their surroundings, over coral and rocky areas of clear water channels, and outer reef slopes. Adults are bearded with a number of tassels below the jaw, and highly variable in colour.
They feed on crustaceans and small fish.
Length - 36cm
Depth - 1-400m
Widespread Indo-West Pacific

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., can cause death! Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/5822

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