WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Reef Scorpionfish

Scorpaenodes caribbaeus

Also known as: Caribbean Reef Scorpionfish, Caribbean Scorpionfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2015
Adult
@Ziggy · Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico · March 20151 / 7
01

Overview

Found singly or in pairs, well camouflaged, close to ceilings in caves and under ledges, over coral and rocky reefs.
They feed nocturnally on crustaceans and small fish.

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

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Atlantic, Caribbean
  • Country only · 7
LIVES IN

Found singly or in pairs, well camouflaged, close to ceilings in caves and under ledges, over coral and rocky reefs.

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Adult photos 7

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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. genusScorpaenodes
    7. speciesScorpaenodes caribbaeus Meek & Hildebrand, 1928

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Rockfishes (Scorpaenidae)