Red scorpionfish (Scorpaena scrofa)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Scorpaena scrofa
- Common name
- Red scorpionfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Scorpaenidae
- Genus
- Scorpaena
- Size
- 20–50 cm
- Depth
- 10–500 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Venomous
- Habitats
- rocky, reef
- Behaviours
- solitary, ambush-predator, camouflage
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Scorpaena scrofa is a bottom-dwelling scorpionfish reaching 50 cm. Exceptional reddish camouflage, blending with sponges and coral. Ambush predator. Venomous dorsal spines: very painful sting but rarely serious. Never place a hand blindly on the reef.
Photo of Red scorpionfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Red scorpionfish?
- Red scorpionfish (Scorpaena scrofa) reaches 20–50 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Red scorpionfish?
- Red scorpionfish is found between 10–500 m deep.
- Is the Red scorpionfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Venomous.
- What is the conservation status of the Red scorpionfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Red scorpionfish?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Scorpaena
- Scorpaena mystes - Pacific 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 127248)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2334574)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia