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Scorpionfish

Bembradium roseum
Family: Bembridae

The Scorpionfish (Bembradium roseum) is a saltwater fish of the family Bembridae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
138.0–800.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Deep sea; benthic on sandy bottoms.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The deepwater flathead is a deep-sea fish of the family Bembridae, related to the flatheads. The species has a flattened head and an elongate body with a pink to reddish colour. It is a deep-sea species living benthically on sandy bottoms. As a bottom predator it lies partly buried and ambushes small benthic invertebrates and small fishes. Owing to the great depth at which it occurs, little is known about its biology. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Scorpionfish?

The Scorpionfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly pink-purple and shows a plain pattern. Flattened head; deep-sea bottom hunter that buries itself in sand.

Where does the Scorpionfish live?

The Scorpionfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Deep sea; benthic on sandy bottoms.

How big does the Scorpionfish get?

The Scorpionfish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Scorpionfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Scorpionfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Scorpionfish edible?

The Scorpionfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Scorpionfish verified
Scientific name
Bembradium roseum
Family
Bembridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
138.0 verified
Max depth (m)
800.0 verified
Natural range
Deep sea; benthic on sandy bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates and small fishes 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
Flattened head; deep-sea bottom hunter that buries itself in sand. 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Bembridae

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