Bearded scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis barbata)

Scientific name: Scorpaenopsis barbata R?ppell, 1838

Bearded scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis barbata)

The Bearded scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis barbata) is a marine fish of the family Scorpaenidae. Native range: Western Indian Ocean, Red Sea to at least the coast of Somalia.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5; Vertebrae: 24. Body heavily pigmented with dark brown or reddish brown, mottled with whitish and blackish blotches; often with a dark brown bar extending ventrally from posterior half of eye and broadening onto lower cheek. Upper opercular spine broad with a strong median ridge. Space between opercular spines with 1 or more ridges. Paired interorbital ridges prominent, separated by a channel more than twice width of 1 ridge, and ending at a ridge extending medially from postocular spine along incurved edge of moderately deep occipital pit. An oblique ridge lateral to each interorbital ridge from above middle of orbit, converging posteriorly with interorbital ridge. Tympanic spines about as long as postocular spines, close behind but separated from ridge extending medially from postocular spines. Median interorbital ridge prominent, reaching well into anterior interorbital s

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Scorpaenopsis barbata
Family
Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes)
Order
Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
22.0
Depth range
30 m (98 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range ? - 30 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea to at least the coast of Somalia.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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