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Pterois antennata (Bloch, 1787) Broadbarred firefish |
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photo by
Randall, J.E. |
| Family: | Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Pteroinae | |||
| Max. size: | 20 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 86 m | |||
| Distribution: | Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Marquesan and Mangaréva islands, north to southern Japan, south to Queensland, Australia and Kermadec (Ref. 8879) and Austral islands. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 6-6. Reddish to tan with many dark bars on body; median fins with scattered dark spots; tentacle above eye long and with dark bands (Ref. 4313). Adults with bluish black blotches near the base of the pectoral fins (Ref. 48635) Description: Characterized by narrow and oblique brown to reddish-brown bars on caudal peduncle; three dark brown bars on head including one through eye that ends at large blackish or dark brown spot on subopercle; dorsal spines free of membrane except basally; enlarged and wing-like pectoral fins with rays free of membrane on outer one-half to three-fourths, all rays unbranched; body depth 2.5-2.7 in SL (Ref. 90102). | |||
| Biology: | Occurs in lagoon and seaward reefs. Hides in crevices under rocks and coral formations during the day and hunts at night. Typically with head towards the safety of their hide-out or narrow passage (Ref. 48635). Feeds on shrimps and crabs. Venomous and capable of inflicting a painful sting. Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 30874. Solitary or in groups, under ledges and holes (Ref. 37816). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 March 2015 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | venomous | |||