WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Barbfish

Scorpaena brasiliensis

Also known as: Devilfish, Goosehead Scorpionfish, Orange Scorpionfish, Pop-eyed Sea Goblin, Red Barbfish, Sea Goblin, Stingfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2015
VenomousKeep your distance
Adult
@fishx6 · Bonaire - Dive site - Kline 2, Caribbean Netherlands · November 20101 / 5
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Overview

Found singly or in pairs, well camouflaged on rock, rubble, and sandy areas, over soft bottomed bays, harbours, and the continental shelf.
They feed nocturnally on small fish and swimming invertebrates, by sucking them into their mouths whole.

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.

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How to identify

COLOURS
Pattern
stripes

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Atlantic, Caribbean
  • Country only · 5
LIVES IN

Found singly or in pairs, well camouflaged on rock, rubble, and sandy areas, over soft bottomed bays, harbours, and the continental shelf.

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Adult photos 5

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderPerciformes
    5. familyScorpaenidae
    6. genusScorpaena
    7. speciesScorpaena brasiliensis Cuvier, 1829

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Rockfishes (Scorpaenidae)