Sebastapistes coniorta Jenkins, 1903
Humpback nohu
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae
Max. size:  10 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 25 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Island. Occurrence elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific has yet to be confirmed.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-6. Lachrymal spines usually 5. Coronal spines absent; no occipital pit; about 50-55 vertical scale rows; a small spine sometimes present at base of first spine over maxillary in large specimens; suborbital ridge more or less a double ridge, a spine at end, sometimes a spine under eye, fourth spine on lachrymal bone is far below level of suborbital ridge and not counted as part of suborbital ridge; supplemental preopercular spine well above first preopercular spine; well-marked spine at upper rear of orbit in area of sphenotic. Body and fins with scattered small dark spots, no dark spot on spinous portion of dorsal fin (Ref. 10482).
Biology:  Benthic (Ref. 58302). Usually hiding among branches of corals, from near shore to 24 m. Feeds mainly on crabs and shrimps (Ref. 3921).
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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