Tasseled scorpionfish
| Tasseled scorpionfish | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Scorpaeniformes |
| Family: | Scorpaenidae |
| Genus: | Scorpaenopsis |
| Species: | S. oxycephala
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| Binomial name | |
| Scorpaenopsis oxycephala (Bleeker, 1849)
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The tasseled scorpionfish, or small-scaled scorpionfish, Scorpaenopsis oxycephala, is a carnivorous ray-finned fish with venomous spines that lives in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It can reach a maximum length of 36 cm (14 in) and can vary considerably in color. Adults are bearded with a number of tassels below the jaw.
They inhabit reef slopes from only 1 to 35 meters. When in shallow waters, swimmers may accidentally tread on them which may cause painful injury from the venomous spines. The Tassled scorpionfish has unique vibrant orange colors and markings that allow it to camouflage itself well in between the rocky reefs. Its well-camouflaged skin enables it to hide and wait for prey to pass by to strick it.[2]
Top view of S. oxycephala (Komodo)
References[]
- ^ 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.
- ^ Doubilet, David; Ghisotti, Andrea (2005). The Red Sea. White star.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scorpaenopsis oxycephala. |
- "Scorpaenopsis oxycephala". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 23 January 2007.
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2007). "Scorpaenopsis oxycephala" in FishBase. January 2007 version.
- Doubilet, David; Ghisotti, Andrea (2005). The Red Sea. White star.
External links[]
- Photos of Tasseled scorpionfish on Sealife Collection
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- IUCN Red List least concern species
- Scorpaenidae
- Taxa named by Pieter Bleeker
- Fish described in 1849
- Scorpaeniformes stubs