Sebastapistes ballieui (Sauvage, 1875)
Spotfin scorpionfish
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae
Max. size:  11.7 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 11 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: known only from the Hawaiian Islands. Recently been reported from Midway Islands (Ref. 28620).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-5. Coronal spines present; virtually no occipital pit; about 40-45 vertical scale rows; lachrymal bone with 3 spines over maxillary, posterior 2 close set and pointing down and to rear, first points mostly forward; suborbital ridge with one spine at posterior end of ridge (Ref. 10482).
Biology:  Inhabits shallow reefs (Ref. 9710). Benthic in or near coral (Ref. 58302).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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