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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Venomous 🌡️ Subtropical

Madeira rockfish

Scorpaena maderensis Valenciennes, 1833
Max Length
17.8 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4.1
Depth
20–40 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
36.00/100
Typical Length
10 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Inhabits shallow coastal waters ; rocky areas and favours habitats with generous brown algal growth, rocky depressions and ledges and small boulders . Feeds on crustaceans and small fishes . Anterolateral glandular groove with venom gland .

Scientific Name
Scorpaena maderensis
Authority
Valenciennes, 1833
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
17.8 cm
Depth Range
20–40 m
Trophic Level
4.1
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
36.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Madeira rockfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

small fish
crustaceans
cephalopods

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 20 - 40 m . Subtropical; 47°N - 12°N, 32°W - 36°E known from several localities in the Mediterranean Sea.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
4.1±0.71
Food Items

crustaceans and small fishes (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01175 × L2.99 (TL)
Max TL
17.8cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2014

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
36.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.1
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Valenciennes, 1833

⚠️ Venom Profile

Medical Warning: This species is venomous. Seek immediate medical attention if envenomated. Contact emergency services and follow first aid guidance below.
Venom Type
proteinaceous neurotoxin
Delivery
dorsal, anal, and pelvic fin spines
Potency
Severe
Mortality Risk
Low
Symptom Onset
5min
Duration
24.0hrs
Antivenom
✗ Not Available
Named Toxins
high-molecular-weight protein (Stonustoxin analogue) acetylcholine
Symptoms
  • immediate intense pain
  • swelling
  • erythema
  • occasional nausea and weakness
Affected Body Systems
peripheral nervous system cardiovascular
First Aid
Immerse affected area in hot water (45 C, tolerable) for 30-90 minutes to denature toxin. Do not apply ice.
Medical Treatment

Analgesia; wound care; tetanus prophylaxis; severe cases may require monitoring for systemic effects.

References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Madeira rockfish 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

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18.9 g
Omega-3 (total) 621 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Madeira rockfish 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
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Helicolenus maderensis Valenciennes 1833 Heterotypic
Scorpaena madrensis Valenciennes 1833 Synonym
Scorpaena madurensis Valenciennes 1833 Synonym
Scorpaena rubellio Jordan & Gunn 1898 Synonym
Sebastapistes maderensis Valenciennes 1833 Synonym
Sebastes maderensis Valenciennes 1833 Synonym
Sebastipistes maderensis Valenciennes 1833 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 47 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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