WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Spotted Coral Croucher

Caracanthus maculatus

Also known as: Coral Croucher, Gumdrop Coral Croucher, Gumdrop, Gumdrop Goby, Orbicular Velvetfish, Pacific-spotted Velvetfish, Red-speckled Coral Goby, Scarlet-spotted Velvetfish, Velvetfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2016
Adult
@nannatam · Bokissa, Vanuatu · May 20171 / 1
01

Overview

Found wedged between branches, of living Acropora corals, over shallow reef crests, in exposed moderate surge zones.

As with all scorpionfish these fish have venomous spines although there sting is more like a bee sting!

Coral Crouchers are typically shy and cryptic, they hide between branching corals and do not venture far from their home.

02

How to identify

Pattern
spots
Body shape
hairytubercles
Behaviour
hidesshy

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

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

Found wedged between branches, of living Acropora corals, over shallow reef crests, in exposed moderate surge zones.

04

Adult photos 1

05

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. genusCaracanthus
    7. speciesCaracanthus maculatus (Gray, 1831)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Rockfishes (Scorpaenidae)