Latin name

Scorpaenopsis macrochir

Other name

Rough humpback scorpionfish

Identification

The flasher scorpionfish has a broad, spiny head with a large slit between the eyes, a strongly arched back and a forked upper dorsal spine. 

This fish is one of five very similar species of flasher scorpionfish and can be distinguished from S. diabolus, S. gibbosa and S. obtusa by markings on the inside of the pectoral fin. It can also be distinguished from S. neglecta by the presence of two to six spots on the dorsum of the snout. 

Features of fish fins

This species has 12 spines on the dorsal fin and nine soft rays, while the anal fin has three spines and five soft rays. Along the spines of the fins are grooves containing venom glands.

Fish colouring

The overall colouration of this fish is brown with white speckles. The large pectoral fin is yellow and orange on the inside, with a continuous broad black stripe along the edge and no large spots on the back. 

Distribution

Widespread in tropical and subtropical waters from western and northwestern Australia, the Moluccas and Philippines, the Marquesas and Society Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Rowley Shoals, Tonga and the Mariana and Caroline Islands in Micronesia. 

Habitat

The flasher scorpionfish is usually found on soft bottoms where it sometimes hides, camouflaged among rubble, where it stalks passing prey. It can be found at depths of 1 to 80 metres (3 feet 3 inches and 262 feet 6 inches).

Size

This species can reach a length of 13 cm (5 inches). The maximum total length of this species is 13.6 cm (5.4 inches).

Behavior

It occurs either singly or in pairs. 

Food and feeding habits

They are nocturnal ambush predators that camouflage themselves among coral rubble and sometimes burrow into the substrate. Here they wait for prey such as small fish to swim within reach and fall into their jaws. 

Reproduction

The female releases eggs into the water which are fertilised by the male. After mating, the adults leave the water and seek shelter to minimise the attention of predators. The eggs then float to the surface. The newly hatched fish stay near the surface until they grow. They then sink to the bottom. 

Fishing

It is not a commercially important commercial species.

Relationship with a person

Venomous. Rarely seen in aquariums.