Scientific Name
Pterois sphex

Common Name
Hawaiian turkeyfish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 6 - 8. Pectoral rays all unbranched, very long and free from membrane distally; dorsal spines very long, some about as long as body depth. Ctenoid scales with about 50-55 vertical scale rows; coronal spines present; most head spines become multiple with growth. Lachrymal and suborbital bones densely covered with spines for specimen 10 cm SL. Supraocular tentacles banded with black, frequently tentacles absent in large specimens. Small specimens with fewer bars on pectoral and pelvic fins.

Classification

Classified By

Jordan & Evermann, 1903

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Scorpionfishes and Flatheads (Scorpaeniformes)

Family

Scorpionfishes or rockfishes (Scorpaenidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Central Pacific

Distribution

Eastern Central Pacific: known only from Hawaii.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

3 m

Depth To - meters

122 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 3 - 122 m (Ref. 3921)

Trophic Level

3.79 s.e. 0.66 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

22.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5010 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (37 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Venomous (Ref. 3921)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated