Tassled scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis oxycephala)

Scientific name: Scorpaenopsis oxycephala Bleeker, 1849

Tassled scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis oxycephala)

The Tassled scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis oxycephala) is a marine fish of the family Scorpaenidae. Native range: Indo-West Pacific, Red Sea and Sodwana Bay, South Africa to the Mariana Islands, north to Taiwan; Palau and Guam in Micronesia; probably more widespread.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5. Highly variable in color. Adults 'bearded' with numerous tassels. Juveniles slender with tall dorsal fin. Third dorsal spine longest (2.05-2.5) in head; occipital pit absent or very shallow; snout very long (2.7-3.0 in head length); space between opercular spines naked; first dorsal spine short (1.85-2.5) in length of second spine; supraocular and postocular spines broadly joined in adults (only tip of supraocular spine showing) and flaring outward to form a shelf over posterior half of eye (Ref 42181).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Scorpaenopsis oxycephala
Family
Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes)
Order
Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
36.0
Common length
30.0
Depth range
1–250 m (3–820 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 250 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and Sodwana Bay, South Africa to the Mariana Islands, north to Taiwan; Palau and Guam in Micronesia; probably more widespread.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Venomous
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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