Pacific spotted scorpionfish (Scorpaena plumieri)

Scientific name: Scorpaena plumieri Bloch, 1789

The Pacific spotted scorpionfish (Scorpaena plumieri) is a marine fish of the family Scorpaenidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, Bermuda, Massachusetts, and northern Gulf of Mexico to southern Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Ascension and St. Helena.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5. Occipital pit present; three to four spines on part of preorbital overlapping maxillary; large white spots on dark background on inner basal part of pectoral fin (unclear in specimens smaller than 3 cm SL).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Scorpaena plumieri
Family: Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes)
Order: Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 45.0
Common length: 30.0
Depth range: 1–60 m (3–197 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 60 m, usually 5 - 55 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Western Atlantic: Bermuda, Massachusetts, and northern Gulf of Mexico to southern Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Ascension and St. Helena.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Venomous
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)