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Minor scorpionfish (Scorpaenodes minor) — Scorpaenidae

Minor scorpionfish

Scorpaenodes minor
Family: Scorpaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Minor scorpionfish (Scorpaenodes minor) is a saltwater fish of the family Scorpaenidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–52.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
Indo-Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Brock's scorpionfish is a small scorpionfish from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a stocky, red-brown mottled body with skin flaps that camouflages it perfectly among coral and rubble. As a motionless ambush predator it waits until prey comes within reach. Like all scorpionfishes it carries venomous fin spines that give a painful sting. The fish is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Minor scorpionfish?

The Minor scorpionfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Small camouflaged ambush predator; venomous fin spines

Where does the Minor scorpionfish live?

The Minor scorpionfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific

How big does the Minor scorpionfish get?

The Minor scorpionfish grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Minor scorpionfish dangerous to humans?

The Minor scorpionfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. The fin spines are venomous and give a very painful sting. Immerse the injured area in water as hot as tolerable (about 45 C) for 30-90 minutes to break down the venom, remove spine fragments, clean the wound and seek medical help for a severe reaction.

Is the Minor scorpionfish edible?

The Minor scorpionfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Minor scorpionfish (Scorpaenodes minor) — Scorpaenidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Minor scorpionfish (Scorpaenodes minor) — Scorpaenidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Minor scorpionfish (Scorpaenodes minor) — Scorpaenidae — 4
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Minor scorpionfish (Scorpaenodes minor) — Scorpaenidae — 5
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Minor scorpionfish verified
Scientific name
Scorpaenodes minor
Family
Scorpaenidae
Other names
Minor scorpionfish; Brock's scorpionfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.2 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
52.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and small fishes inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Camouflaged miniature scorpionfish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Small camouflaged ambush predator; venomous 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
Venomous / poisonous sourced
First aid
The fin spines are venomous and give a very painful sting. Immerse the injured area in water as hot as tolerable (about 45 C) for 30-90 minutes to break down the venom, remove spine fragments, clean the wound and seek medical help for a severe reaction. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Scorpaenodes

More from the family Scorpaenidae

Fin

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