Teleostei (teleosts) >
Perciformes/Scorpaenoidei (Scorpionfishes) >
Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes) > Scorpaeninae
Etymology: Scorpaenopsis: Latin, scorpaena = a kind of fish, 1706 + Greek, opsis = appearance (Ref. 45335); vittapinna: From the Latin vitta for band and pinna for fin, in reference to the dark transverse band on the anal and pelvic fins. Not in Ref. 40966.
More on authors: Randall & Eschmeyer.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 40 m (Ref. 123970). Tropical
Indo-Pacific: Indo-Pacific: South Africa and the Red Sea to Fr. Polynesia; north to Japan; south to Australia
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 8.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 90102)
Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5; Vertebrae: 24. A broad dark band across soft portion of anal and pelvic fins. Maxilla extending posterior to a vertical at rear edge of orbit. Interorbital ridges low, flaring laterally to base of tympanic spines; no median interorbital ridge. Occipital pit shallow, its anterior edge inwardly curved. A small but deep suborbital pit. Suborbital ridge with 4 retrorse spines, the first on lacrimal; posterior points divided into 2 points (except in young). Supraocular tentacle varying from smaller than spine to as long as orbit diameter. Upper opercular spine usually double (may be divided into 3 or 4 points); lower opercular spine usually single (rarely double) (Ref. 42181).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
Inhabits coral reefs and areas with rubble bottom (Ref. 42181).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Randall, J.E and W.N. Eschmeyer, 2001. Revision of the Indo-Pacific scorpionfish genus Scopaenopsis, with descriptions of eight new species. Indo-Pac. Fish. (34):79 p. (Ref. 42181)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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