Scorpaenodes hirsutus (Smith, 1957)
Hairy scorpionfish
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae
Max. size:  5.6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 8 - 54 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Marquesan and Pitcairn islands, north to Ryukyu and Hawaiian islands, south to Australia (Ref. 33390).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-6. Covered with short hairlike filaments (Ref. 37816). With vertical scale rows about 30; usually with 4 spines on suborbital ridge, first on lateral face of lachrymal bone; usually 1 additional spine below suborbital ridge at level between second and third spines; presence of interorbital spines; absence of small spines at midline between tympanic spines (Ref. 10482).
Biology:  Inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs to a depth of at least 40 m (Ref. 1602). Benthic in coral reefs (Ref. 58302). Venomous spines (Ref. 1602).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  venomous
Country info:   
 


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