WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Western Red Scorpionfish

Scorpaena sumptuosa

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

Adult
@fishx6 · Gullivers, Lighthouse Bay, Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth, WA, Australia · March 20131 / 5
01

Overview

Found singly, well camouflaged and blending in with their surroundings, over coral and rocky areas of inshore reefs.
Highly variable in colour.
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!

02

How to identify

Pattern
blotches

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Eastern Indian Ocean
  • Exact location · 5
LIVES IN

Found singly, well camouflaged and blending in with their surroundings, over coral and rocky areas of inshore reefs.

04

Adult photos 5

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. genusScorpaena
    7. speciesScorpaena sumptuosa Castelnau, 1875

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Rockfishes (Scorpaenidae)