Scorpions

Scorpionfish, belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, are fascinating yet potentially dangerous inhabitants of saltwater aquariums. These fish are known for their venomous spines, which can deliver a painful sting to unwary aquarists. Despite their intimidating defense mechanism, scorpionfish are highly sought after for their unique appearance and behavior. They typically have a robust, camouflaged body with elaborate pectoral fins and a variety of colors and patterns that help them blend into their surroundings, making them masters of disguise in the reef environment. Some common species include the Synanceia spp., and the Taenianotus triacanthus.

When it comes to care, scorpionfish require a well-established aquarium with plenty of hiding spots created by live rock and coral structures. They are ambush predators, so a diet of live or frozen meaty foods such as shrimp, fish, and squid is essential. It's important to note that scorpionfish can be aggressive towards smaller tank mates and should be housed with similarly sized or larger, non-aggressive species. Additionally, their venomous spines necessitate careful handling and maintenance practices to avoid injury.

In a scientific context, scorpionfish are an interesting study due to their venom, which has been the subject of numerous medical and biochemical studies. The venom contains a complex mixture of proteins, including neurotoxins and enzymes, which researchers are exploring for potential pharmaceutical applications. This makes scorpionfish not just a captivating addition to an aquarium but also a subject of significant scientific interest.

1. 
   Common name: Cockatoo Waspfish

   Scientific name: Ablabys taenianotus
2. 
   Common name: Shortfin firefish

   Scientific name: Brachypterois serrulata
3. Common name: Spotted coral croucher

   Scientific name: Caracanthus maculatus
4. Common name: Spotted Coral Croucher

   Scientific name: Caracanthus madagascariensis
5. Common name: Hawaiian orbicular velvetfish

   Scientific name: Caracanthus typicus
6. Common name: Pygmy coral croucher

   Scientific name: Caracanthus unipinna
7. 
   Common name: De Beaufort's Flathead

   Scientific name: Cymbacephalus beauforti
8. Common name: batfish

   Scientific name: Dactylopterus volitans
9. 
   Common name: Two-stick stingfish

   Scientific name: Inimicus filamentosus
10. 
    Common name: Wispy Waspfish

    Scientific name: Paracentropogon longispinis
11. 
    Common name: Blackfoot Lionfish

    Scientific name: Parapterois heterura
12. 
    Common name: Mozambique scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Parascorpaena mossambica
13. 
    Common name: Northern scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Parascorpaena picta
14. 
    Common name: Ambon scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Pteroidichthys amboinensis
15. 
    Common name: Eschmeyer's scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Rhinopias eschmeyeri
16. 
    Common name: Weedy scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Rhinopias frondosa
17. 
    Common name: Whiteface Waspfish

    Scientific name: Richardsonichthys leucogaster
18. 
    Common name: Kokuchi-fusakasago

    Scientific name: Scorpaena miostoma
19. 
    Common name: Small red scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Scorpaena notata
20. 
    Common name: Pacific spotted scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Scorpaena plumieri
21. 
    Common name: Black scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Scorpaena porcus
22. 
    Common name: red scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Scorpaena scrofa
23. Common name: Guam scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Scorpaenodes guamensis
24. Common name: Blotchfin scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Scorpaenodes varipinnis
25. Common name: Shortnose scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Scorpaenopsis brevifrons
26. Common name: Titan Scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Scorpaenopsis cacopsis
27. 
    Common name: Devil scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Scorpaenopsis diabolus
28. 
    Common name: Flasher scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Scorpaenopsis macrochir
29. 
    Common name: Tassled scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Scorpaenopsis oxycephala
30. 
    Common name: Papuan scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Scorpaenopsis papuensis
31. 
    Common name: Raggy scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Scorpaenopsis venosa
32. 
    Common name: Spotfin scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Sebastapistes ballieui
33. 
    Common name: Speckled scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Sebastapistes coniorta
34. 
    Common name: Bicolor rosefish

    Scientific name: Sebastapistes cyanostigma
35. Common name: Barchin scorpionfish

    Scientific name: Sebastapistes strongia
36. 
    Common name: Rough stonefish

    Scientific name: Synanceia horrida
37. 
    Common name: Stonefish

    Scientific name: Synanceia verrucosa