Tassled scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis oxycephala) fish species and information / pictures of Tassled scorpionfish - Scorpaenopsis oxycephala

Tassled scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis oxycephala) fish species information

Scientific Name
Scorpaenopsis oxycephala

Common Name
Tassled scorpionfish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 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).

Classification

Classified By
Bleeker, 1849
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Scorpionfishes and Flatheads (Scorpaeniformes)
Family
Scorpionfishes or rockfishes (Scorpaenidae)

Distribution

Region
Indo-West Pacific
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.
Range
27°N - 6°N

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
1 m
Depth To - meters
250 m
Zone
reef-associated
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 250 m (Ref. 37816)
Trophic Level
3.88 s.e. 0.63 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
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
36.0 cm
Common Length
30.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Unknown
Vulnerability
High vulnerability (56 of 100)
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)
Threat To Humans
  Venomous (Ref. 2334)
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated