Scorpionfishes
Scorpionfishes, lionfishes, rockfishes, stingfishes, stonefishes, and waspfishes are the common names for the members of the Scorpaenidae family. They are found in all tropical and temperate seas. They have 8 to 18 strong venomous dorsal spines and numerous head spines. Most species are strongly camouflaged. Most of them are red, reddish brown, or brown in colour, and usually have barred or mottled colour patterns that are typically darker dorsally. Scorpaenidae are difficult to be distinguished and may be mistaken to their close relatives such as the Triglidae, Platycephalidae, Caracanthidae, and Aploactinidae.
The Scorpaenidae family contains the world's most venomous fishes. Their dorsal, anal, and pelvic spines usually bear venom gland. Potential fatal wounds may be inflicted by their sharp fin and head spines. Most species live on or near the bottom and are strongly camouflaged. They are excellent ambush predators feeding mostly on crustaceans and fishes. A few species are pelagic and semipelagic occurring offshore.
There are 26 genera and about 215 species worldwide. Malaysia has about 16 species.
The Scorpaenidae family contains the world's most venomous fishes. Their dorsal, anal, and pelvic spines usually bear venom gland. Potential fatal wounds may be inflicted by their sharp fin and head spines. Most species live on or near the bottom and are strongly camouflaged. They are excellent ambush predators feeding mostly on crustaceans and fishes. A few species are pelagic and semipelagic occurring offshore.
There are 26 genera and about 215 species worldwide. Malaysia has about 16 species.
Scientific Name: Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758 )
English Name: Red Lionfish, Red Firefish
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Depu Belang Zebra
Bahasa Indonesia: Ikan Lepu Penganten
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาสิงห์โตปีกยาว (Plā s̄ingh̄ to pīk yāw)
Main Identification Features: Pectoral-fin rays 14, unbranched. Dorsal spines 13. Dorsal-fin rays almost always 11½. Anal-fin rays 7½. Caudal fin and soft parts of dorsal and anal fins spotted.
Size: Maximum total length 46 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Inshore and offshore coral and rocky reefs, to 50 m depth. Juveniles found in small groups. Adult usually solitary, only aggregates with other individuals during spawning. Usually sheltering under ledges or in caves or crevices by day but forages in deeper water at night. Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans, usually during sunset.
Remarks: Poisonous - Beware of all Scorpionfish. Inflict a painful and potentially fatal injury with it's venomous sting.
Scientific Name: Scorpaenopsis oxycephala (Bleeker, 1849)
English Name: Tassled Scorpionfish, Smallscale Scorpionfish
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Depu Sengat Janggut
Bahasa Indonesia: Ikan Lepu Karang
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาละหิน (Plā la h̄in), ปลาแมงป่องยักษ์ (Plā mængp̀xng yạks̄)
Main Identification Features: Pectoral-fin rays 18-20, with rounded edge, upper 2nd to 6th rays divided, 8th to last fleshy with pointed tips. Dorsal spines 12, 3rd spine longest. Dorsal soft rays 9, divided, longer than longest dorsal spine height. Anal spines 3, 2nd spine longest and robust. Preopercular with five spines. Sub-orbital bone well developed, with three backward directed spines. Body color variable, mottled with dark reddish to brownish blotches.
Size: Maximum standard length about 30 cm, commonly 25 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Inshore clear water coral and rocky reefs, to 60 m depth. A solitary species, often camouflage itself and wait for prey to pass by.
Remarks: Poisonous - Beware of all Scorpionfish. Inflict a painful and potentially fatal injury with it's venomous sting.
Scientific Name: Scorpaenopsis venosa (Cuvier, 1829)
English Name: Raggy Stonefish
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Depu Sengat Bintik
Bahasa Indonesia: Ikan Lepu Karang
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาแมงป่อง (Plā mængp̀xng)
Main Identification Features: Pectoral-fin rays 16 or 17. Dorsal spines 12.
Size: Maximum total length 25 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Inshore sandy and muddy areas surrounding rocky reefs and lagoons, to 95 m depth. A solitary species, often camouflage itself over algae bottoms, reef crevices and seagrass bed, and wait for prey to pass by. Feeds on small fishes and swimming invertebrates.
Remarks: Poisonous - Beware of all Scorpionfish. Inflict a painful and potentially fatal injury with it's venomous sting.
English Name: Red Lionfish, Red Firefish
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Depu Belang Zebra
Bahasa Indonesia: Ikan Lepu Penganten
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาสิงห์โตปีกยาว (Plā s̄ingh̄ to pīk yāw)
Main Identification Features: Pectoral-fin rays 14, unbranched. Dorsal spines 13. Dorsal-fin rays almost always 11½. Anal-fin rays 7½. Caudal fin and soft parts of dorsal and anal fins spotted.
Size: Maximum total length 46 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Inshore and offshore coral and rocky reefs, to 50 m depth. Juveniles found in small groups. Adult usually solitary, only aggregates with other individuals during spawning. Usually sheltering under ledges or in caves or crevices by day but forages in deeper water at night. Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans, usually during sunset.
Remarks: Poisonous - Beware of all Scorpionfish. Inflict a painful and potentially fatal injury with it's venomous sting.
Scientific Name: Scorpaenopsis oxycephala (Bleeker, 1849)
English Name: Tassled Scorpionfish, Smallscale Scorpionfish
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Depu Sengat Janggut
Bahasa Indonesia: Ikan Lepu Karang
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาละหิน (Plā la h̄in), ปลาแมงป่องยักษ์ (Plā mængp̀xng yạks̄)
Main Identification Features: Pectoral-fin rays 18-20, with rounded edge, upper 2nd to 6th rays divided, 8th to last fleshy with pointed tips. Dorsal spines 12, 3rd spine longest. Dorsal soft rays 9, divided, longer than longest dorsal spine height. Anal spines 3, 2nd spine longest and robust. Preopercular with five spines. Sub-orbital bone well developed, with three backward directed spines. Body color variable, mottled with dark reddish to brownish blotches.
Size: Maximum standard length about 30 cm, commonly 25 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Inshore clear water coral and rocky reefs, to 60 m depth. A solitary species, often camouflage itself and wait for prey to pass by.
Remarks: Poisonous - Beware of all Scorpionfish. Inflict a painful and potentially fatal injury with it's venomous sting.
Scientific Name: Scorpaenopsis venosa (Cuvier, 1829)
English Name: Raggy Stonefish
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Depu Sengat Bintik
Bahasa Indonesia: Ikan Lepu Karang
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาแมงป่อง (Plā mængp̀xng)
Main Identification Features: Pectoral-fin rays 16 or 17. Dorsal spines 12.
Size: Maximum total length 25 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Inshore sandy and muddy areas surrounding rocky reefs and lagoons, to 95 m depth. A solitary species, often camouflage itself over algae bottoms, reef crevices and seagrass bed, and wait for prey to pass by. Feeds on small fishes and swimming invertebrates.
Remarks: Poisonous - Beware of all Scorpionfish. Inflict a painful and potentially fatal injury with it's venomous sting.
