Guam scorpionfish
📖 Overview
Found in rock crevices in reef flats, shallow lagoons, and channels. Feeds mainly at night on small shrimps, crabs, and polychaetes. Anterolateral glandular groove with venom gland . Solitary and cryptic (Ref 90102).
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5. Thie species is distinguished by the following set of characters: pectoral-fin rays 17-20 (mode 18), some rays branched in specimens over ca. 40 mm SL; dorsal-fin soft rays 7-9 (8); scale rows in longitudinal series 40-46 (43); underside of lower jaw scaleless; gill rakers 11-15 (13); with nasal spine; lateral lacrimal spine is usually present; suborbital spines 2, first spine below eye, second spine at end of suborbital ridge; no interorbital and coronal spines; opercle with a large dark blotch; no dark blotch on subopercle or spinous portion of dorsal fin .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Guam scorpionfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 20 m , usually 0 - 5 m . Tropical; 35°N - 40°S east coast of Africa and the Red Sea east to the Society Islands.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- immediate intense pain
- swelling
- erythema
- occasional nausea and weakness
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
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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