False stonefish (species: Scorpaenopsis diabolus) in Lizard Island Field Guide (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Lizard Island Field Guide > Marine Life > Bony fishes > Scorpaenidae > Scorpaenopsis diabolus (gallery)
Scorpaenopsis diabolus
False stonefish


©Anne Hoggett: Scorpaenopsis diabolus about 25 cm long at South Island, Lizard Island Group. Note humped back; head is at right.

©Anne Hoggett: Scorpaenopsis diabolus at South Island showing part of the brightly-coloured inner side of the pectoral fin.

©Damaris Torres-Pulliza: Scorpaenopsis diabolus at Horseshoe Reef, Lizard Island.

show or add records

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Order Scorpaeniformes
Family Scorpaenidae
Genus Scorpaenopsis
Species Scorpaenopsis diabolus

Show in taxonomy
Lizard Island Field Guide
Lizard Island area: all known taxa

Colours

                   

Distinguishing features

A well-camouflaged scorpionfish with a humped back. Inner surface of pectoral fins brightly coloured, exposed only when alarmed.

Size

  • Up to 30 cm (Standard length)

Depth range

  • Up to 70 m

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Local abundance

  • Lizard Island: Rarely seen but that may be due to its good camouflage

Web resources

Danger

  • requires treatment - Venom injected via spines along body.

References

  • Caley, M.J. (1995). Reef fish community structure and dynamics: in interaction between local and larger-scale processes? Marine Ecology Progress Series, 129: 19-29. LIRS catalog number 448.