Home · Scorpaenidae · Marbled coral-cod
Marbled coral-cod (Parascorpaena picta) — Scorpaenidae

Marbled coral-cod

Parascorpaena picta
Family: Scorpaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Marbled coral-cod (Parascorpaena picta) is a saltwater fish of the family Scorpaenidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
17.9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–15.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The painted scorpionfish is a scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) from the eastern Indian and western Pacific Ocean. The species has a stocky, gaudily mottled body with skin flaps and a warty head that make it disappear against the background. It inhabits rocky coastal bottoms and sheltered bays with silty bottom among debris and litter. 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 Marbled coral-cod?

The Marbled coral-cod has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Marbled coral-cod live?

The Marbled coral-cod lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Marbled coral-cod get?

The Marbled coral-cod grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Marbled coral-cod dangerous to humans?

No, the Marbled coral-cod is harmless to humans.

Is the Marbled coral-cod edible?

The Marbled coral-cod is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geschilderde schorpioenvis sourced
English name
Marbled coral-cod verified
Scientific name
Parascorpaena picta
Family
Scorpaenidae
Other names
Northern scorpionfish; Painted scorpionfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.9 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
Max depth (m)
15.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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