Scorpaenopsis oxycephalus

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

Scorpaenopsis oxycephalus, 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 oxycephalus 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 oxycephalus 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 oxycephalus 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] It has been reported from False Bay in South Africa. [7] They inhabit reef slopes from only 1 to 35 meters. [8]

Biology

Scorpaenopsis oxycephalus is a solitary species. [2] It is a nocturnal ambush predator feeding on fishes and crustaceans. [9] 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. [8]

Utilisation

Scorpaenopsis oxycephalus is sometimes caught by spear fishers and as bycatch in trawls. [1] It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. [9]

Related Research Articles

<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>Pteroidichthys</i> Genus of fishes

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

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

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<i>Parascorpaena picta</i> Species of fish

Parascorpaena picta, the northern scorpionfish, painted scorpionfish or marbled rock cod is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. This species is native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. This species grows to a length of 16 centimetres (6.3 in) TL.

<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.

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

Scorpaenodes evides, the cheekspot scorpionfish, little scorpionfish or shore 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">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

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<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

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<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 oxycephalus". 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. ↑ Kock, Alison; Stanbridge, Debbie; Brink, Rene; Holness, Stephen; Harris, Linda; Gardner, Kathryn; van Wilgen-Bredenkamp, Nicola; Mayekiso, Sisanda; Jones, Georgina. Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area – State of Knowledge Report March 2022 (PDF). Internal Report 01 / 2022 (Report). Pretoria: Scientific Services, South African National Parks. Appendix II, Table 4: Fish.
  8. 1 2 Doubilet, David; Ghisotti, Andrea (2005). The Red Sea. White star.
  9. 1 2 Bob Goemand (2012). "Scorpaenopsis oxycephalus (Bleeker, 1849) Tasseled Scorpionfish, Smallscaled Scorpionfish". Saltcorner Fish Library. Bob Goemans. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
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