Description

Also known as Firefish, Goblinfish, Stingfish, Western Red Rockcod, Western Red Scorpion Cod, Western Scorpionfish.

Found singly, well camouflaged and blending in with their surroundings, over coral and rocky areas of inshore reefs.
Highly variable in colour.
They feed on crustaceans and small fish.
Length - 40cm
Depth - 1-60m
Eastern Indian Ocean - South Western Australia

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.de/summary/scorpaena-sumptuosa