Family

Common name: Scorpionfishes

Scientific name: Scorpaenidae

The Scorpaenidae family, commonly known as scorpionfishes, is a fascinating group of marine fish known for their venomous spines and remarkable camouflage abilities. These fish are predominantly found in the Indo-Pacific region, although some species inhabit the Atlantic and Mediterranean waters. Scorpionfishes are benthic creatures, meaning they live on or near the seabed, where their cryptic coloration allows them to blend seamlessly with their surroundings, making them excellent ambush predators.

Scorpionfishes are characterized by their robust bodies, large heads, and a series of venomous spines on their dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins. The venom is a potent defense mechanism against predators, but it can also pose a risk to humans, making it essential for aquarists to handle these fish with care. Despite their venomous nature, scorpionfishes are popular in the aquarium trade due to their striking appearance and interesting behaviors.

In terms of care, scorpionfishes require a well-established aquarium with plenty of live rock and hiding places to mimic their natural habitat. They are carnivorous and require a diet of live or frozen meaty foods such as shrimp, fish, and squid. Due to their sedentary nature, they do not require a large tank, but water quality must be maintained to prevent health issues.

Scorpionfishes exhibit a range of sizes, from small species suitable for home aquariums to larger ones that are best left to public aquariums. It's important for hobbyists to research the specific needs and potential size of the scorpionfish species they intend to keep. Additionally, their compatibility with other tank mates should be considered, as they may prey on smaller fish and invertebrates.

  1. Shortfin firefish (Dendrochirus brachypterus)
    Common name: Shortfin firefish
    Scientific name: Brachypterois serrulata
  2. Common name: Spotted coral croucher
    Scientific name: Caracanthus maculatus
  3. Common name: Spotted Coral Croucher
    Scientific name: Caracanthus madagascariensis
  4. Common name: Hawaiian orbicular velvetfish
    Scientific name: Caracanthus typicus
  5. Common name: Pygmy coral croucher
    Scientific name: Caracanthus unipinna
  6. Close-up view of endemic, Hawaiian Green Lionfish (Dendrochirus barberi); Maui, Hawaii, United States of America
    Common name: Hawaiian lionfish
    Scientific name: Dendrochirus barberi
  7. Common name: Bricked firefish
    Scientific name: Dendrochirus bellus
  8. Twospot Turkeyfish, dendrochirus biocellatus
    Common name: Twinspot lionfish
    Scientific name: Dendrochirus biocellatus
  9. Lionfish (Dendrochirus brachypterus)
    Common name: Dwarf lionfish
    Scientific name: Dendrochirus brachypterus
  10. Portrait of a Zebra lionfish (Dendrochirus zebra) in Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia
    Common name: Zebra lionfish
    Scientific name: Dendrochirus zebra
  11. Common name: Cockscomb firefish
    Scientific name: Ebosia bleekeri
  12. Gurnard lionfish - Parapterois heterura in the night. Underwater world of tropical seas.
    Common name: Blackfoot Lionfish
    Scientific name: Parapterois heterura
  13. Marine life, Liuqiu island, Taiwan
    Common name: Mozambique scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Parascorpaena mossambica
  14. Short-spined sea scorpion / Sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius) Saltstraumen, Bodö, Norway, October 2008
    Common name: Northern scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Parascorpaena picta
  15. Incredible underwater world - Pteroidichthys amboinensis - Ambon scorpionfish. Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia.
    Common name: Ambon scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Pteroidichthys amboinensis
  16. Pterois antennata
    Common name: Spotfin lionfish
    Scientific name: Pterois antennata
  17. Pterois lunulata(крылатка-зебра)
    Common name: Luna lion fish
    Scientific name: Pterois lunulata
  18. Pterois miles, brown-striped lionfish zebra floating up
    Common name: lionfish
    Scientific name: Pterois miles
  19. Lionfish
    Common name: African lionfish
    Scientific name: Pterois mombasae
  20. Close-up view of a Clearfin Lionfish (Pterois radiata)
    Common name: radial firefish; clearfin turkeyfish
    Scientific name: Pterois radiata
  21. Common lionfish,  Devil firefish, Soldier lionfish, Indian turkeyfish or Mile's fire fish (Pterois miles) is a coral reef, Red sea, Marsa Alam, Abu Dabab, Egypt, Africa
    Common name: zebrafish
    Scientific name: Pterois russelii
  22. A beautiful colored Hawaiian turkeyfish also known as Hawaiian lionfish under the water
    Common name: Hawaiian turkeyfish
    Scientific name: Pterois sphex
  23. Lionfish in the Bahamas
    Common name: lionfish
    Scientific name: Pterois volitans
  24. Eschmeyer's scorpionfish (Rhinopias eschmeyeri), Alor Island, Indonesia
    Common name: Eschmeyer's scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Rhinopias eschmeyeri
  25. A rare Weedy Scorpionfish -Rhinopias frondosa. Sea life of Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia.
    Common name: Weedy scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Rhinopias frondosa
  26. コクチフサカサゴ
    Common name: Kokuchi-fusakasago
    Scientific name: Scorpaena miostoma
  27. Stone fish in natural habitat
    Common name: Small red scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Scorpaena notata
  28. Scorpionfish, Scorpaena plumieri, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Key Largo, Florida
    Common name: Pacific spotted scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Scorpaena plumieri
  29. Black Scorpionfish, Scorpaena porcus, Cabo Cope-Puntas del Calnegre Natural Park, Mediterranean Sea, Murcia, Spain, Europe
    Common name: Black scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Scorpaena porcus
  30. Scorpaena scrofa, common name the red scorpionfish,
    Common name: red scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Scorpaena scrofa
  31. Common name: Guam scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Scorpaenodes guamensis
  32. Common name: Blotchfin scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Scorpaenodes varipinnis
  33. Common name: Shortnose scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Scorpaenopsis brevifrons
  34. Common name: Titan Scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Scorpaenopsis cacopsis
  35. Devil Scorpionfish Scorpaenopsis diabolus
    Common name: Devil scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Scorpaenopsis diabolus
  36. Scorpaenopsis macrochir Flacher-Drachenkopf, Buckel-Drachenkopf,
    Common name: Flasher scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Scorpaenopsis macrochir
  37. Fransen Drachenkopf (Scorpaenopsis oxycephala) Skorpionfisch
    Common name: Tassled scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Scorpaenopsis oxycephala
  38. Scorpaenopsis papuensis (Papuan scorpionfish) resting on tropical reef of Bali, Indonesia
    Common name: Papuan scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Scorpaenopsis papuensis
  39. Raggy Scorpianfish - Scorpaenopsis venosa
    Common name: Raggy scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Scorpaenopsis venosa
  40. Spotfin Lionfish (Sebastapistes ballieui) on the Jahir 1 dive site, Lembeh Straits, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
    Common name: Spotfin scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Sebastapistes ballieui
  41. Young Ambon Scorpionfish, Junger Ambon Skorpionfisch (Pteroidichthys amboinensis)
    Common name: Speckled scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Sebastapistes coniorta
  42. Sebastapistes Cyanostigma - Coral Scorpionfish
    Common name: Bicolor rosefish
    Scientific name: Sebastapistes cyanostigma
  43. Common name: Barchin scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Sebastapistes strongia
  44. Portrait of a leaf scorpionfish (taenianotus triacanthus) in Layang Layang, Malaysia
    Common name: scorpionfish
    Scientific name: Taenianotus triacanthus