Scorpaenopsis papuensis (Cuvier, 1829)
Papuan scorpionfish
photo by Patzner, R.

Family:  Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae
Max. size:  25 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 40 m
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: Indonesia and the Philippines to the Society Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef and Fiji.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-5. Snout length > orbit diameter. Has a dark purplish blotch on the rear of the spinous dorsal fin (Ref. 37816). Juveniles with large, forward pointing tentacles above the eyes (Ref. 48635). Space on opercle between opercular spines scaled; penultimate dorsal spine 1.9-2.2 in length of last spine; reaches 195 mm SL (rarely over 170 mm) (Ref 42181). Description: Characterized by generally mottled brown to reddish color, depending on surroundings; single upper opercular spine; relatively long snout, 2.8-3.2 in head length; presence of prominent skin tassels on lower head; long fimbriate tentacle often present above the eye; depth of body 2.7-3.2 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found in coral and rocky areas to depths over 40 m (Ref. 34765); also in coastal and slopes, estuaries and lagoons, often in algae covered rubble zones (Ref. 48635). Feeds on fishes (Ref. 89972). Solitary and difficult to see due to camouflage colors (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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