Scorpaena pepo Motomura, Poss & Shao, 2007
Pumpkin scorpionfish

Family:  Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae
Max. size:  24.51 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range - 200 m
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: Taiwan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-5; Vertebrae: 24-24. This species has the following combination of characters: 16 pectoral-fin rays; 46-48 longitudinal scales series; embedded cycloid scales covering anteroventral surface of body and pectoral-fin base; lateral line sloping steeply downward above anterior 1/2 of pectoral fin; posterior margin of maxilla extending well beyond a vertical through posterior margin of orbit; well developed median interorbital ridge, its highest portion greater in height than interorbital ridges; a single spine on the lateral surface of lacrimal; anterior lacrimal spine with an additional spine; posterior lacrimal spine simple; suborbital spines 3, posterior end of 1st suborbital spine base below eye between posterior margins of pupil and orbit; space between upper and lower opercular spines not covered with fleshy skin; supraocular tentacle shorter than pupil diameter,1.7-3.9% (mean 3.1%) of SL in length; no tentacles on the underside of lower jaw; no skin flap on pectoral-fin axil; relatively deep body (depth 36.4-42.6% of SL); head and body when fresh yellowish-orange and with numerous small distinct black spots, averaging about 1/10 body scale diameter in size, scattered on entire head and body (except for ventral surface of head and body), dorsal, anal and caudal fins, and upper 1/2 of pectoral fin; a large black blotch at the margin of membrane between 6th and 10th or 11th dorsal-fin spines in males (Ref. 75791).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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