Pacific scorpionfish (Scorpaena mystes)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Scorpaena mystes
- Common name
- Pacific scorpionfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Scorpaenidae
- Genus
- Scorpaena
- Size
- 25–50 cm
- Depth
- 2–60 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Venomous
- Habitats
- rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Scorpaena mystes reaches 50 cm. Large scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) East Pacific from Gulf of California to Peru with stocky red-brown to olive-brown marbled body, numerous filiform skin appendages on head and flanks for camouflage, large head, venomous dorsal spines. Lives from 2 to 60 m on rocky and coral reefs. Nocturnal ambush predator of small fish and crustaceans. Dive photo subject for Scorpaenidae enthusiasts, often spotted by silhouette.
Photo of Pacific scorpionfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Pacific scorpionfish?
- Pacific scorpionfish (Scorpaena mystes) reaches 25–50 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Pacific scorpionfish?
- Pacific scorpionfish is found between 2–60 m deep.
- Is the Pacific scorpionfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Venomous.
- What is the conservation status of the Pacific scorpionfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Pacific scorpionfish?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Scorpaena
- Scorpaena scrofa - Red scorpionfish
- Scorpaena guttata - California 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 274726)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2334583)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia