Scorpaena porcus Linnaeus, 1758
Black scorpionfish
photo by Hernández-González, C.L.

Family:  Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae
Max. size:  40.5 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 870.0 g
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range - 800 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: British Isles to the Azores, and the Canary Islands, including Morocco, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 4-6. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XII,7-9 with the last divided at base; pectoral fin rays 16-18, uppermost branched pectoral fin ray is usually the third (rarely second to fourth); lacrimal usually with 2 spines over maxilla that point at nearly right angle from each other, posterior pointing ventrally and slightly anteriorly; occipital pit is well-developed; anteriormost mandibular lateral line pores are widely separated; scales small, emarginate, no distinct ctenii; scale rows in longitudinal series 56-60; no scales on chest and pectoral fin base; cirri well developed over entire head and body, no cirri on lower jaw (Ref. 122805).
Biology:  Solitary and sedentary. Common among rocks and algae. Feeds on small fishes (gobies, blennies), crustaceans and other invertebrates (Ref. 4570).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 14 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  traumatogenic


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