WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Humpbacked Scorpionfish

Scorpaenopsis gibbosa

Also known as: Devil Scorpionfish, False Stonefish, Humpback Scorpionfish, Stonefish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2016
Handle with careLook, don't touch
Adult
@blogie · Coral Gardens, Talicud Island, Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines · November 20111 / 1
01

Overview

Found singly, or in pairs, blending in with their surrounds, over coral, rock, rubble, and weedy bottoms, of reef flats, lagoons, and seaward reefs. This Scorpionfish has a large head that merges into the landscape very well.

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.

02

How to identify

Pattern
black spot

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-West Pacific
  • Country only · 1
LIVES IN

Found singly, or in pairs, blending in with their surrounds, over coral, rock, rubble, and weedy bottoms, of reef flats, lagoons, and seaward reefs.

04

Adult photos 1

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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. genusScorpaenopsis
    7. speciesScorpaenopsis gibbosa (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Rockfishes (Scorpaenidae)