Bearded ghoul
📖 Overview
Found on open sandy or silty substrates of lagoon and seaward reefs. Often buries itself and easily overlooked. Uses pectoral fins to startle predators and shows color during courtship . Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans . The venom of this fish can be deadly to man. Its ability to camouflage itself by living half-buried presents a real danger. Solitary on sand and mud bottoms (Ref 90102).
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 10 - 12. Body colors highly variable and best identified by the patterns on the fins . Lower 2 pectoral rays are entirely free and used as "walking" legs and the inner face of the fin is brightly colored . : short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Bearded ghoul is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 5 - 80 m . Tropical; 25°N - 21°S West Pacific: Thailand to Vanuatu, north to the Ryukyu Islands (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
small fishes and crustaceans (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- excruciating pain
- tissue necrosis
- cardiovascular collapse
- pulmonary oedema
CSL Stonefish antivenom (Australia); intensive supportive care; wound debridement.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Bearded ghoul is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 197 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Bearded ghoul has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scorpaena didactyla | Pallas | 1769 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 9 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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