Scientific Name
Rhinopias frondosa

Common Name
Weedy scorpionfish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5. Highly variable in color and in appendages in relation to habitat. Covered with appendages on algae reefs, but plain when deep with sponges (Ref. 48635). Body highly compressed and covered with weed-like tassels (Ref. 37816).

Classification

Classified By

G?nther, 1892

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Scorpionfishes and Flatheads (Scorpaeniformes)

Family

Scorpionfishes or rockfishes (Scorpaenidae)

Distribution

Region

Indo-West Pacific

Distribution

Indo-West Pacific: South Africa (off Durban) east to southern Japan, the Caroline Islands, and eastern Australia.

Range

32°N - 6°N

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

13 m

Depth To - meters

90 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 13 - 90 m (Ref. 1602)

Trophic Level

3.98 s.e. 0.60 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

23.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5078 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (38 of 100)

Resilience

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

Threat To Humans

Venomous (Ref. 1602)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated