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Byno scorpionfish (Parascorpaena aurita) — Scorpaenidae

Byno scorpionfish

Parascorpaena aurita
Family: Scorpaenidae

The Byno scorpionfish (Parascorpaena aurita) is a brackish-water fish of the family Scorpaenidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
3.0–15.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. and others

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Description

The Byno scorpionfish is a scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a stocky, red-brown marbled body with skin flaps and fan-shaped pectoral fins. The body matches rocks and coral with a marbled pattern. As an ambush hunter it lies hidden on sand and reef bottoms. The dorsal and gill spines carry venom and can cause a painful sting; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Byno scorpionfish?

The Byno scorpionfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a marbled pattern. Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care.

Where does the Byno scorpionfish live?

The Byno scorpionfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. and others

How big does the Byno scorpionfish get?

The Byno scorpionfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Byno scorpionfish dangerous to humans?

The Byno scorpionfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. Rinse the wound with clean water and remove any visible spine fragments. Immerse the affected part for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45C, not scalding) to break down the venom. For severe pain, swelling or signs of infection seek medical help and check tetanus status.

More photos

Byno scorpionfish (Parascorpaena aurita) — Scorpaenidae — 2
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Byno scorpionfish (Parascorpaena aurita) — Scorpaenidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) coenobita, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Byno scorpionfish (Parascorpaena aurita) — Scorpaenidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Peter, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Byno scorpionfish (Parascorpaena aurita) — Scorpaenidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Albert Günther (Public domain)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Byno scorpionfish sourced
Scientific name
Parascorpaena aurita
Family
Scorpaenidae
Other names
Golden scorpionfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
15.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified
First aid
Rinse the wound with clean water and remove any visible spine fragments. Immerse the affected part for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45C, not scalding) to break down the venom. For severe pain, swelling or signs of infection seek medical help and check tetanus status. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Parascorpaena

More from the family Scorpaenidae

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