Bullhead scorpionfish (Scorpaena bulacephala)

Scientific name: Scorpaena bulacephala Motomura, Last & Yearsley, 2005

The Bullhead scorpionfish (Scorpaena bulacephala) is a marine fish of the family Scorpaenidae. Native range: Southwest Pacific, off Norfolk Island and off Lord Howe Island, in the northern Tasman Sea.

Biology

Dorsal soft rays (total): 9. Diagnosis. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: 9 dorsal-fin soft rays; fourth fin spine longest; 17 pectoral-fin rays; 39-44 longitudinal scales rows; 23 pored lateral-line scales; lateral surface of trunk covered with ctenoid scales; anteroventral surface of body and pectoral-fin base covered with exposed cycloid scales; lateral surface of maxilla with no longitudinal ridge; no spines on lateral surface of lacrimal; posterior margin of anterior lacrimal spine with 1?3 small spines; simple posterior lacrimal spine directed ventroposteriorly; no median interorbital ridge and no coronal spine; with occipital pit and supplement preopercular spine; relatively short fin spines and rays, longest pectoral-fin ray (31.5-33.5% of SL); the space between the upper and lower opercular spines is not covered by skin with sensory pores and canals; length of supraocular tentacle is less than or approximately equal to pupil diameter; no te

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Scorpaena bulacephala
Family
Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes)
Order
Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
8.8
Depth range
86–113 m (282–371 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 86 - 113 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Southwest Pacific: off Norfolk Island and off Lord Howe Island, in the northern Tasman Sea.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 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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