Scorpaena bulacephala Motomura, Last & Yearsley, 2005
Bullhead scorpionfish

Family:  Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae
Max. size:  8.75 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 86 - 113 m
Distribution:  West Pacific: off Norfolk Island and off Lord Howe Island, in the northern Tasman Sea. Also reported from New Caledonia (Ref. 86942).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9. Diagnosis. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: 9 dorsal-fin soft rays; fourth fin spine longest; 17 pectoral-fin rays; 39-44 longitudinal scales rows; 23 pored lateral-line scales; lateral surface of trunk covered with ctenoid scales; anteroventral surface of body and pectoral-fin base covered with exposed cycloid scales; lateral surface of maxilla with no longitudinal ridge; no spines on lateral surface of lacrimal; posterior margin of anterior lacrimal spine with 1–3 small spines; simple posterior lacrimal spine directed ventroposteriorly; no median interorbital ridge and no coronal spine; with occipital pit and supplement preopercular spine; relatively short fin spines and rays, longest pectoral-fin ray (31.5-33.5% of SL); the space between the upper and lower opercular spines is not covered by skin with sensory pores and canals; length of supraocular tentacle is less than or approximately equal to pupil diameter; no tentacles on lateral surface of trunk, except on pored lateral-line scales (Ref. 75652).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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