Marine Wildlife Encyclopedia
Spotted Scorpionfish Scorpaena plumieri
Resting quietly on the seabed, the spotted scorpionfish is almost invisible thanks to its mottled color and weedlike skin flaps that cover its head. However, if this fish is disturbed, it can open its large pectoral fins to display dramatic black and white-spotted patches. Flashing these “false eyes” is often enough to frighten off a potential predator, but if this does not work, the spines on its dorsal fin can inflict a poisonous sting.
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zoom image- Order Scorpaeniformes
- Length Up to 18 in (45 cm)
- Weight Up to 3 lb (1.5 kg)
- Depth 3–200 ft (1–60 m)
- Distribution Western Atlantic and eastern Atlantic around Ascension Island and St. Helena
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