SCORPIONFISH

Family Scorpaenidae

Scorpionfish are rather stout fish, bottom dwelling with no swimbladders for flotation. All are armed with venomous dorsal fins and have sharp spikes to their gill covers. They usually have warty protuberances to help in their camouflage and are opportunistic predators. They sit still near aggregations of small fish, lying in wait for the food to swim close enough to catch.

SMALL ROCKFISH

Scorpaena notata

This small species only grows to 20cm (8in) and is fairly free of any facial cutaneous protrusions. It is variable bright red and orange with yellowish and brown blotches and shows a black mark on the dorsal fin when it displays. Ecology: This species prefers low light conditions and can be more often seen at night when the diver’s torch light can pick out the brilliant colours against the rocky or algae-covered background. It likes the entrances to caverns where it can be seen upside down or high up on the cliff wall.

BROWN SCORPIONFISH

Scorpaena porcus

This stout species is slightly larger than the Small Rockfish at 30cm (1ft) and has a much more universal colouring of dark brown, often speckled with cream or light brownish blotches. It has several large, backward-facing spines around the gill covers and there are two large, fleshy protuberances above the eyes. Ecology: This species prefers more open water in well-illuminated areas such as seagrass meadows where it lies in wait for its prey to swim by close to its mouth. Their spiny coverings are purely defensive and I have witnessed an Anglerfish spitting this fish out when it tried to eat it.

GREAT ROCKFISH

Scorpaena scrofa

This is the largest of the Mediterranean scorpionfish and can grow over 50cm (1ft 8in). More tan and light brown in colour, it has many fleshy appendices underneath the jaw and around the head, helping it to blend into the background for additional camouflage. Ecology: It is found in most habitats, but prefers well-lit areas around seagrass meadows and amidst a jumble of algae-covered boulders.