Sculpin scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis cotticeps)

Scientific name: Scorpaenopsis cotticeps Fowler, 1938

Sculpin scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis cotticeps)

The Sculpin scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis cotticeps) is a marine fish of the family Scorpaenidae. Native range: Indo-West Pacific, Japan, Philippines, South China Sea, Queensland (Australia), Seychelles, Somalia, and the Gulf of Aden.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5; Vertebrae: 24. With 33-37 vertical scale rows; 4 predorsal scales; a blunt head profile, eye protruded a little from the dorsal contour of head, no hump behind head; 2 spines on lachrymal overlying maxillary (1st spine forward and 2nd spine backward), broad postocular and tympanic spines and many small papillae on head. Interorbital ridges elevated posteriorly to join tip of tympanic spines; base of parietal spines not curving into occipital pit; first dorsal spine 1.6-1.9 in second spine (Ref 42181).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Scorpaenopsis cotticeps
Family
Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes)
Order
Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
6.3
Depth range
15–70 m (49–230 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 15 - 70 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Japan, Philippines, South China Sea, Queensland (Australia), Seychelles, Somalia, and the Gulf of Aden.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (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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