Latin name

Scorpaenopsis papuensis

Other name

Scorpaenopsis papuensis

Identification

The snout of the Papuan scorpionfish is longer than the diameter of the eye socket. Juveniles have large, forward facing tentacles above the eyes. It has tentacles and flaps of skin on the jaw and chin. 

This species can be distinguished from the similar ragged scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis venosa) by having a flattened intraorbital space with no occipital pit.

Features of fish fins

The Papuan scorpionfish has 12 spines and 9 soft rays in the dorsal fin and 3 spines and 5 soft rays in the anal fin. 

Fish colouring

The basic colour of the body and fins is reddish brown with speckles. There is a dark purple patch on the back of the spine of the dorsal fin. It is capable of changing its body colour to improve its camouflage against the substrate on which it is found.

Distribution

Widespread in the Indo-West Pacific from western Indonesia to French Polynesia, north to the Ryukyu Islands in southern Japan and south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. In Australian waters, the species is found off Houtman Abrolius Island northwest of Port Hedland in Western Australia, on Cartier Reef in the Timor Sea and as far north as the Great Barrier Reef and Holmes Reef in the Coral Sea, and on Middleton Reef in the Tasman Sea. 

Habitat

A marine tropical species that prefers brackish water. It inhabits depths from 1 to 40 m (3 to 131 ft 3 in) in coral and rocky areas, as well as sandy coastal slopes, estuaries and lagoons, and is often found on rocky areas covered with algae.

Size

The maximum published total length of these fish is 25 cm. The total length is 20.0 cm.

Behavior

It is a solitary, secretive species that ambushes fish and waits for prey to get close enough to grab and eat with its mouth. Papuan scorpionfish exhibit biofluorescence, which means that when illuminated with blue or ultraviolet light, it re-emits as red and looks different than when illuminated with white light. Biofluorescence may facilitate intraspecific communication and camouflage.

Food and feeding habits

Flasher scorpionfish feed on fish. 

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

Harmless. Occasionally found for sale in aquariums.