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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Spotback scorpionfish

Pontinus vaughani Barnhart & Hubbs, 1946
Max Length
44.3 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.6
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
63.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Overview information for Spotback scorpionfish is currently being compiled by our editorial team.

Scientific Name
Pontinus vaughani
Authority
Barnhart & Hubbs, 1946
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
44.3 cm
Trophic Level
3.6
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
63.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Spotback scorpionfish is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Spotback scorpionfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Spotback scorpionfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Spotback scorpionfish is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal. Tropical; - 10°N Central Pacific: Baja California, Mexico and the Clipperton, Clarion and Revillagigedo islands.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.6±0.5

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01288 × L3.02 (TL)
Max TL
44.3cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2008

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
63.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.6
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Barnhart & Hubbs, 1946

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Spotback scorpionfish is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • 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
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Spotback scorpionfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Spotback scorpionfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Spotback scorpionfish
🌍CES paropušnice Vaughanova
🇫🇷French Rascasse à dos tacheté
🇪🇸Spanish lapón lomo manchado · Lupón lomo manchado · Rascacio Lomo Mancahado
🇨🇳Chinese 沃氏海鮋

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 6 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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