Devil scorpionfish

Devil scorpionfish

 

Scientific name : Scorpaenopsis diabolus

 

Family : Scorpaenidae (scorpionfishes, 231 species)
Size : Up to 30 cm
Distribution : Indo-Pacific

 

Biology : This scorpionfish has a massive, humpbacked appearance that makes it easy to pass off as a stone. Like all other scorpionfish, it has venomous dorsal spines. It owes its name to the particularly atrocious sting it can inflict if accidentally stepped on. As it can live in very shallow waters, accidents can happen very quickly…
However, if it feels threatened, it may deploy its bright orange pectoral fins as a warning.

 

IUCN status : Least concern