California scorpionfish (Scorpaena guttata)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Scorpaena guttata
- Common name
- California scorpionfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Scorpaenidae
- Genus
- Scorpaena
- Size
- 20–43 cm
- Depth
- 3–180 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Venomous
- Habitats
- rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Eastern Pacific
Description
Scorpaena guttata reaches 43 cm. Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) endemic to temperate East Pacific from central California to Baja California with red-pink to red-brown body with numerous regular small dark spots (hence guttata, speckled), large head, skin appendages, venomous dorsal spines. Lives from 3 to 180 m on rocky reefs. Sportfished and commercially fished. Nocturnal, benthic predator. Iconic dive photo subject of California rocky reefs, memorable encounter at Catalina and Channel Islands.
Photo of California scorpionfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the California scorpionfish?
- California scorpionfish (Scorpaena guttata) reaches 20–43 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the California scorpionfish?
- California scorpionfish is found between 3–180 m deep.
- Is the California scorpionfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Venomous.
- What is the conservation status of the California scorpionfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the California scorpionfish?
- Found in: Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Scorpaena
- Scorpaena scrofa - Red scorpionfish
- Scorpaena mystes - Pacific scorpionfish
- Scorpaena porcus - Black scorpionfish
- Scorpaena notata - Small red scorpionfish
- Scorpaena maderensis - Madeira scorpionfish
- Scorpaena plumieri - Spotted scorpionfish
Other species in the family Scorpaenidae
- Pterois volitans - Red lionfish
- Pterois radiata - Clearfin lionfish
- Pterois antennata - Spotfin lionfish
- Dendrochirus zebra - Zebra lionfish
- Dendrochirus brachypterus - Shortfin lionfish
- Pterois miles - Devil firefish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 274713)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2334627)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia