| Family: |
Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae |
| Max. size: |
36 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range - 400 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and Sodwana Bay, South Africa (Ref. 4313) to the Mariana Islands (Ref. 9710), north to Taiwan; Palau and Guam in Micronesia; probably more widespread. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-5. Highly variable in color. Adults 'bearded' with numerous tassels. Juveniles slender with tall dorsal fin (Ref. 48635). Third dorsal spine longest (2.05-2.5) in head; occipital pit absent or very shallow; snout very long (2.7-3.0 in head length); space between opercular spines naked; first dorsal spine short (1.85-2.5) in length of second spine; supraocular and postocular spines broadly joined in adults (only tip of supraocular spine showing) and flaring outward to form a shelf over posterior half of eye (Ref 42181). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits clear-water outer reef slopes and channels from depths of 1 to at least 35 m, in areas with mixed rock and coral substrates. Venomous spines. Solitary on coral and rocky bottoms (Ref 90102). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
venomous |
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