Home · Scorpaenidae · Coral Scorpionfish
Coral Scorpionfish (Scorpaena albifimbria) — Scorpaenidae

Coral Scorpionfish

Scorpaena albifimbria
Family: Scorpaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Coral Scorpionfish (Scorpaena albifimbria) is a saltwater fish of the family Scorpaenidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–36.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic; small coral patch reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Coral Scorpionfish?

Get the app

Description

The coral scorpionfish is a scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species is small and has a stocky, mottled body with numerous skin flaps and a warty head, with which it is nearly invisible among coral and rock. It inhabits small coral patch reefs. As an ambush hunter it waits motionless for small fishes and crustaceans. The dorsal fin spines carry venom and cause intense pain when stung.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Coral Scorpionfish?

The Coral Scorpionfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Warty, camouflaged ambush predator with venomous dorsal fin spines.

Where does the Coral Scorpionfish live?

The Coral Scorpionfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic; small coral patch reefs.

How big does the Coral Scorpionfish get?

The Coral Scorpionfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Coral Scorpionfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Coral Scorpionfish is harmless to humans. The fin spines carry venom; a sting causes intense, burning pain and swelling. Immerse the wound in hot water (about 45 C) for 30-90 minutes to break down the venom, remove spine fragments and seek medical care.

Is the Coral Scorpionfish edible?

The Coral Scorpionfish is not usually eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Coral Scorpionfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Coral Scorpionfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Coral Scorpionfish verified
Scientific name
Scorpaena albifimbria
Family
Scorpaenidae
Other names
Coral scorpionfish; Lesser scorpionfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
36.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic; small coral patch reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Warty, camouflaged ambush predator with venomous dorsal fin spines. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
The fin spines carry venom; a sting causes intense, burning pain and swelling. Immerse the wound in hot water (about 45 C) for 30-90 minutes to break down the venom, remove spine fragments and seek medical care. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Scorpaena

More from the family Scorpaenidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Coral Scorpionfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Coral Scorpionfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Coral Scorpionfish? Get the app