False stonefish (Scorpaenopsis diabolus)

Scientific name: Scorpaenopsis diabolus Cuvier, 1829

The False stonefish (Scorpaenopsis diabolus) is a marine fish of the family Scorpaenidae. Native range: Indo-Pacific, Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands and French Polynesia, north to southern Japan, south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5 - 6. Pectoral fin rays usually 18; back arched; with about 45 vertical scale rows; lachrymal bone with 2 or 3 spines over maxillary, first points forward, followed by 1 or by 2 close-set spines which point down and back; suborbital ridge with 4 or more spinous points, usually more than 8 or 10 points, not in a row and of various sizes; a shallow pit below front corner of eye. Colorful inside the pectoral fins, used for display.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Scorpaenopsis diabolus
Family: Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes)
Order: Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 30.0
Depth range: 1–70 m (3–230 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 70 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands and French Polynesia, north to southern Japan, south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Venomous
Uses: Aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)