Scorpaenopsis altirostris Gilbert, 1905

Family:  Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae
Max. size:  4.56 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 79 - 134 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: Hawaii.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-5. About 1/4 of orbit extending above dorsal profile of head. Spines dorsally on head relatively low, supraorbital very broad-based, postorbital more blade-like and angling laterally. Interorbital ridges originating medial to rear edge of posterior nostrils, closer together in mid-length of interorbital than the width of one ridge, and extending to base of tympanic spines. Occipital pit moderately deep, front edge incurved, with no distinct ridges at margins. Suborbital pit small but relatively deep, below anterior half of orbit. Suborbital ridge with 4 spines, the first on lacrimal below ridge. Upper opercular spine divided into 2-4 points. Lacrimal with 2 spines over maxilla, the anterior angling forward and the posterior projecting backward. Supraocular tentacle varying from shorter than supraocular spine to longer than orbit diameter. First dorsal spine 1.60-1.65 in 2nd spine; 4th spine longest, about 2.15-2.55 in head; penultimate spine 1.3 in last spine. Second anal spine longer than 3rd, 2.05-2.15 in head. Pectoral fins long, extending to a vertical base of 1st and 2nd anal soft ray (Ref. 42181).
Biology:  Specimens collected from coarse sand bottom with broken shell and coral (Ref. 42181). Benthic (Ref. 58302).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  venomous
Country info:   
 


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