Name: Red scorpionfish, bigscale scorpionfish, large-scaled scorpionfish
Scientific Name: Scorpaena scrofa (Linnaeus, 1758)
Family: Scorpaenidae
Group: Bony fish
Class: Fish
Size: 26-50 cm.
The red scorpionfish is a solitary fish with nocturnal habits, which spends the day practically immobile, disguised among rocks and algae. At night it feeds on other fishes, crustaceans and molluscs, which do not detect it due to its elaborate camouflage. When disturbed, it raises its dorsal fin in order to exhibit its strong and threatening venomous spines. These cause quite painful wounds, which can be alleviated by immersing the affected zone in hot water. In this way, the venom is altered and its effects destroyed.
Photo by:
Patzner, R. (www.geocities.com/greekfisher/aglikoshow.htm)
North Atlantic
