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.
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