Home · Scorpaenidae · Frilly scorpionfish
Frilly scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis cirrosa) — Scorpaenidae

Frilly scorpionfish

Scorpaenopsis cirrosa
Family: Scorpaenidae

The Frilly scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis cirrosa) is a saltwater fish of the family Scorpaenidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
23.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–91.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The hairy scorpionfish is a scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) from the northwestern Pacific. The species has a stocky, brown-mottled body with numerous skin appendages and fringes that camouflage it excellently among coral and rock. It often lies motionless on the substrate and, as an ambush hunter, springs on small fishes. The dorsal, pelvic and anal fin spines are venomous and give an extremely painful puncture wound; treat a sting with hot water and seek medical help if symptoms occur.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Frilly scorpionfish?

The Frilly scorpionfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Frilly scorpionfish live?

The Frilly scorpionfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Frilly scorpionfish get?

The Frilly scorpionfish grows to a maximum of about 23 cm.

Is the Frilly scorpionfish dangerous to humans?

The Frilly scorpionfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

Is the Frilly scorpionfish edible?

The Frilly scorpionfish is rarely eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Harige schorpioenvis sourced
English name
Frilly scorpionfish verified
Scientific name
Scorpaenopsis cirrosa
Family
Scorpaenidae
Other names
Scorpionfish; Stonefish; Weedy scorpionfish; Weedy Stingfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.1 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
91.0 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
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Scorpaenopsis

More from the family Scorpaenidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →