Sea devil (Inimicus didactylus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Inimicus didactylus
- Common name
- Sea devil
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Synanceiidae
- Genus
- Inimicus
- Size
- 10–25 cm
- Depth
- 1–80 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Venomous
- Habitats
- sand, mud
- Behaviours
- solitary, cryptic, venomous
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Inimicus didactylus reaches 25 cm. Scorpaenid with elongated sand-mimetic body, mottled brown-black-red with skin papillae. Literally walks on bottom with its two last pectoral rays modified into fingers (hence didactylus). When alarmed, suddenly deploys pectorals revealing brilliant interior colors (red, yellow, purple) for intimidation. Highly venomous spines (similar to stonefish). Lives from 1 to 80 m on sand and muddy bottoms of central Indo-Pacific. Sought-after macro photo subject for deployed pectorals.
Photo of Sea devil
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Sea devil?
- Sea devil (Inimicus didactylus) reaches 10–25 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Sea devil?
- Sea devil is found between 1–80 m deep.
- Is the Sea devil dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Venomous.
- What is the conservation status of the Sea devil?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Sea devil?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the family Synanceiidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 212580)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2333640)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia