Common name: Pacific spotted scorpionfish
General information
The Spotted Scorpionfish, Scorpaena plumieri, is a striking and venomous species known for its ability to blend into its surroundings. This fish is part of the Scorpaenidae family, which is renowned for its members' potent venomous spines. The Spotted Scorpionfish has a mottled appearance with various shades of brown, red, and white, which aids in camouflage among the rocks and coral.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 300 liter (79 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.026
- Temperature
- 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8 to 8.4
- Average size
- 40 cm (1′4″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Handle with care, venomous spines.
- Diet
- Carnivore Prefers live or frozen food.
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone.
- Reefsafe
- No May eat small fish/inverts.
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive Aggressive if provoked.
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderScorpionfishesScorpaeniformes
- FamilyScorpionfishesScorpaenidae
- GenusScorpionfishScorpaena
- SpeciesPacific spotted scorpionfishScorpaena plumieri Bloch, 1789
- SynonymsScorpaena albofasciata Metzelaar, 1919Scorpaena bufo Cuvier, 1829Scorpaena rascacio Poey, 1860Scorpaena scrofina Valenciennes, 1833
Care
In the aquarium, Spotted Scorpionfish require a tank with plenty of live rock and hiding places to mimic their natural habitat. They are ambush predators, so the tank setup should allow them to blend in and surprise prey. Caution is advised when handling this fish or performing tank maintenance due to its venomous spines. They should be fed a diet of meaty foods such as shrimp, squid, and small fish.
Reproduction
Reproduction in the home aquarium is rare for Spotted Scorpionfish. In the wild, they are ovoviviparous, with females releasing live young after internal fertilization. The larvae are planktonic before settling to the bottom and developing into juveniles.
Habitat
Spotted Scorpionfish are found in the Western Atlantic, from North Carolina and Bermuda to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. They inhabit rocky bottoms, coral reefs, and seagrass beds, often lying motionless and blending in with their surroundings to ambush prey.