Hipposcorpaena filamentosa Fowler, 1938
Filamentous scorpionfish
Hipposcorpaena filamentosa
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae
Max. size:  3.52 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 10 - 95 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: South Africa, Japan, Australia; the Philippines, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 6-6. Characterized by having variable coloration, from whitish to red-brown; red-brown variety with whitish snout and broad white band on posterior portion of spinous dorsal fin; dorsal rays XI, 10, spinous portion of fin elevated, membrane between first and second spines moderately incised; anal rays II,6; pectoral rays 14, strongly incised membranes between lower seven rays (one-third to one-half length of each ray); longitudinal scale series 54; head is large with concave snout profile; presence of skin flaps on snout, chin, lower cheek, edge of preoperculum and above eye; depth of body 2.4-2.5 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found in silty inshore reefs (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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