Scorpaenodes caribbaeus Meek & Hildebrand, 1928
Reef scorpionfish
Scorpaenodes caribbaeus
photo by Itriago, H.

Family:  Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae
Max. size:  12 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 70 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Florida, USA and Bahamas to Panama and northern South America. Antilles, western and southern Caribbean (Ref. 26938).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-5. Has conspicuous dark spot on rear dorsal fin spines. Without occipital pit (Ref. 26938). Palatine teeth absent; no preorbital spines; suborbital ridge with 4 or 5 spinous points (Ref. 13442).
Biology:  Inhabits coral reefs. Sometimes drifts above hard substratum or near ceilings of caves or ledges. Secretive but common (Ref. 9710). Maximum depth from Ref. 126840.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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