WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Yellow-spotted Scorpionfish

Sebastapistes cyanostigma

Also known as: Coral Scorpionfish, Stingfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2016
VenomousKeep your distance
Adult
@hasah · Reeflex Divers, Indonesia · September 20161 / 4
01

Overview

Found singly, or in small family groups, hiding, or resting, amongst the branches of Pocillopora corals and fire corals, in surge zones, over reef crests and seaward reefs, rich in coral growth.

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 · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 4
LIVES IN

Found singly, or in small family groups, hiding, or resting, amongst the branches of Pocillopora corals and fire corals, in surge zones, over reef crests and seaward reefs, rich in coral growth.

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Adult photos 4

06

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. genusSebastapistes
    7. speciesSebastapistes cyanostigma (Bleeker, 1856)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    07

    More in the family

    Rockfishes (Scorpaenidae)