Scorpaenopsis oxycephala

Last updated

Scorpaenopsis oxycephala
Pez escorpion de cabeza plana (Scorpaenopsis oxycephala), parque nacional Ras Muhammad, Egipto, 2022-03-27, DD 26.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Scorpaeniformes
Family: Scorpaenidae
Genus: Scorpaenopsis
Species:
S. oxycephala
Binomial name
Scorpaenopsis oxycephala
(Bleeker, 1849)
Synonyms [2]
  • Scorpaena oxycephalusBleeker, 1849
  • Scorpaenopsis oxycephalus(Bleeker, 1849)

Scorpaenopsis oxycephala, the tasseled scorpionfish, or small-scaled scorpionfish, is a species of venomous marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It has a wide distribution in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the largest species in its genus.

Contents

Taxonomy

Scorpaenopsis oxycephala was first formally described as Scorpaena oxycephalus in 1849 by the Dutch physician, herpetologist and ichthyologist Pieter Bleeker with the type locality given as Jakarta on Java. [3] The specific name is a compound of oxy which means "sharp" and cephalus meaning "head", an allusion to the long snout of this fish. [4]

Description

Scorpaenopsis oxycephala has an elongate body which becomes compressed towards the rear with a narrow ontraorbital space. The upper posttemporal and upper opercular spines are simple. The occipital pit is either absent or very shallow. [5] It has a very long snout and in adults there are numerous tentacles which form a beard around the mouth. There are 12 spines and 9 soft rays in the dorsal fin and 3 spines and 5 soft rays in the anal fin. The supraocular and postocular spines are widely merged in adults so that only the tip of the supraocular spine shows, and these flare outwards to create a ridge over the rear half of the eye. This species attains a maximum published total length of 36 cm (14 in), the largest species in the genus Scorpaenopsis . [2] This scorpionfish has mottled and variable patterning of reddish-brown marked with white patches, and frequently with a darker triangular area underneath the eye that extends back over the cheek. [6]

Distribution and habitat

Scorpaenopsis oxycephala has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution which extends from the Red Sea south to Sodwana Bay in South Africa and through the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf east to New Guinea, south to Australia and north to Taiwan and, probably, the Ryukyu Islands of southern Japan. [5] [1] In Australian waters this species is found on the Northwest Shelf off Western Australia, at Cartier Island in the Timor Sea and on the Great Barrier Reef off Queensland, as well as at Christmas Island. [6] They inhabit reef slopes from only 1 to 35 meters. [7]

Biology

Scorpaenopsis oxycephala is a solitary species. [2] It is a noctirnal ambush predator feeding on fishes and crustaceans. [8] When in shallow waters, swimmers may accidentally tread on them which may cause painful injury from the venomous spines. This species has unique vibrant orange colours and markings that allow it to camouflage itself well in between the rocky reefs. [7]

Utilisation

Scorpaenopsis oxycephala is sometimes caught by spear fishers and as bycath in trawls. [1] It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. [8]

Related Research Articles

<i>Scorpaenodes</i> Genus of fishes

Scorpaenodes is a widespread genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. The fishes in this genus are found to the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean.

<i>Scorpaenopsis</i> Genus of fishes

Scorpaenopsis is a genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. The fishes in this genus are found in the Indian and Pacific Ocean.

<i>Scorpaena</i> Genus of fishes

Scorpaena is a widespread genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes.

<i>Parapterois</i> Genus of fishes

Parapterois is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. These fish originate from marine environments in the Indian Ocean or near it. The venomous Parapterois heterura is occasionally seen as an aquarium fish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Decoy scorpionfish</span> Species of fish

The decoy scorpionfish is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is native to the Western Indian and Pacific oceans. A non-migratory species, I. signifer can be observed in close association with coral reefs at depths of from 10 to 70 metres. This species grows to a length of 13 centimetres (5.1 in) TL. This species is the only known member of its genus and can be distinguished by its unique prey-luring behavior.

<i>Pteroidichthys amboinensis</i> Species of fish

Pteroidichthys amboinensis, the Ambon scorpionfish or Godfrey's scorpionfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is found in the Indian and Pacific oceans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flasher scorpionfish</span> Species of fish

The flasher scorpionfish, or rough humpback scorpionfish is a species of venomous marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. This species is found in the western Pacific Ocean.

<i>Scorpaenopsis papuensis</i> Species of fish

Scorpaenopsis papuensis, the Papuan scorpionfish, is a species of venomous marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is found in the Indo-West Pacific.

Poss's scorpionfish is a species of venomous marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade.

<i>Sebastapistes cyanostigma</i> Species of fish

Sebastapistes cyanostigma, the yellowspotted scorpionfish', coral scorpionfish or pink and yellow scorpionfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is found in the Indo-Pacific. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. It grows to 10 cm in length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black scorpionfish</span> Species of fish

The black scorpionfish, also known as the European scorpionfish or small-scaled scorpionfish, is a venomous scorpionfish, common in marine subtropical waters. It is widespread in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean from the British Isles to the Azores and Canary Islands, near the coasts of Morocco, in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Small red scorpionfish</span> Species of fish

Small red scorpionfish is a venomous Scorpionfish, common in marine subtropical waters. It is widespread in the Eastern Atlantic from the Bay of Biscay to Senegal, Madeira, Azores and the Canary Islands, including the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western scorpionfish</span> Species of fish

The western scorpionfish, also known as the neglected scorpionfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is found in the western Pacific Ocean.

<i>Scorpaenopsis neglecta</i> Species of fish

Scorpaenopsis neglecta, the yellowfin scorpionfish or bandtail scorpionfish, is a species of venomous marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is found in the Indo-West Pacific.

<i>Scorpaenopsis diabolus</i> Species of fish

Scorpaenopsis diabolus, the false stonefish, false scorpionfish or the devil scorpionfish, is a species of venomous marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It has venomous spines and lives in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans as well as in the Red Sea. It is a bottom-dwelling predator that relies on its camouflage to catch passing prey.

<i>Scorpaenopsis barbata</i> Species of fish

Scorpaenopsis barbata, the bearded scorpionfish, is a species of venomous marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. This species is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Filamentous scorpionfish</span> Species of Fish

The filamentous scorpionfish is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is found in the Indo-West Pacific. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Hipposcorpaena.

<i>Scorpaenodes guamensis</i> Species of fish

Scorpaenodes guamensis, the Guam scorpionfish or common scorpionfish, is a species of venomous, marine, ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Humpbacked scorpionfish</span> Species of fish

The humpbacked scorpionfish is a species of venomous marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. This species is found in the western Indian Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern fortescue</span> Species of fish

The Eastern fortescue, also known as the fortesque, Southern fortescue, fortie or Southern bullrout, is a species of ray-finned fish, a waspfish belonging to the subfamily Tetraroginae of the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. It is found the coastal waters of eastern Australia.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Motomura, H. & Matsuura, K. (2016). "Scorpaenopsis oxycephala". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T46098924A46665174. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T46098924A46665174.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2021). "Scorpaenopsis ocycephala" in FishBase. August 2021 version.
  3. ↑ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Scorpaenopsis". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  4. ↑ Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara, eds. (2 October 2021). "Order Perciformes (Part 9): Suborder Scorpaenoidei: Family Scorpaenidae". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Smallscale Scorpionfish Scorpaenopsis oxycephala Bleeker, 1846". Fishes of Andaman Sea. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  6. 1 2 Bray, D.J. (2017). "Scorpaenopsis oxycephala". Fishes of Australia. Museums Victoria. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  7. 1 2 Doubilet, David; Ghisotti, Andrea (2005). The Red Sea. White star.
  8. 1 2 Bob Goemand (2012). "Scorpaenopsis oxycephalus (Bleeker, 1849) Tasseled Scorpionfish, Smallscaled Scorpionfish". Saltcorner Fish Library. Bob Goemans. Retrieved 20 February 2022.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.