Red scorpionfish
(Scorpaena scrofa)
General data
Scientific names:
Red scorpionfish
Habitat:
Saltwater
Climates:
Tropical, Subtropical, Temperate
Scorpaena scrofa is the largest eastern Atlantic scorpion fish. Its colouration ranges from brick red to a light pink, and it has dark-coloured blotches on its body. It has venomous spines, and can achieve a maximum weight around 3 kg (6.6 lb). It can grow to a maximum length of 50 cm (20 in), but is commonly around 30 cm (12 in).
It has 12 dorsal spines, 9 dorsal soft rays, three anal spines, and five soft rays. It often has a dark spot on its spinous dorsal spines between the 6th and 11th. It has long supraorbital tentacles.
This species is found in the Mediterranean Sea. It is also found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean around the British Isles, where it is rare, south to Senegal, the Canary Islands, and Cape Verde.
