The Red Scorpionfish, also known as Orange Scorpionfish, Bigscale Scorpionfish, Whiskery Scorpionfish or Largescaled Scorpionfish is a species in the large clade of Percomorpha and thus belongs to the superclass of the bony fish.
Description
The body of the Red Scorpianfish has a red colouring in different brightness levels and many patterns. Its head is covered with spines and over his eyes, on the nostrils and chin, there are scabby skin-extensions.
Scorpaena scrofa has only a few large scales. Its back and anterior fins have poisonous spines, which can be put up in danger and can be dangerous for humans as well.
The Red Scorpionfish reaches a maximum size of 50cm in length.
Habitat and Distribution
Scorpaena scrofa is lives on rocky reefs with algae growth. It can be found in depths down to 500m.
When diving in the Canaries you can observe it occasionally. For small specimens, it is difficult to distinguish them from other scorpionfish.
The general distribution area of the Red Scorpionfish is in the Mediterranean Sea and in the eastern Atlantic from the British Isles, via Madeira and Cape Verde, along the African coast, all the way to Senegal.
Biology
The Red Scorpionfish is a hunter. It hunts mainly at dusk and at night, relying on his camouflage. When the appropriate prey is within reach, he snaps quickly. Its diet consists of crustaceans, invertebrates and small fish.
Scorpaena scrofa lives solitaire and has a re-formed swimming-bladder, which makes him a bad swimmer.
They also fluoresce!