New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

🌊 Marine Least Concern ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Venomous 🌡️ Subtropical

Scorpaenopsis Eschmeyeri

Scorpaenopsis eschmeyeri Randall & Greenfield, 2004
Max Length
7.6 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.9
Depth
1–24 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
31.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Scorpaenopsis Eschmeyeri (Scorpaenopsis eschmeyeri), first described by Randall & Greenfield, 2004 is a small fish in the family Scorpaenidae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 7.60 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 1 to 24 metres. It occurs in Subtropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.The species is venomous and potentially dangerous to handle.

Scientific Name
Scorpaenopsis eschmeyeri
Authority
Randall & Greenfield, 2004
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
7.6 cm
Depth Range
1–24 m
Trophic Level
3.9
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
31.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5. Diagnosis: Dorsal rays XII,9; anal rays III,5; pectoral rays 17-18 (rarely 18). Longitudinal scale series 44--48 (modally 46). Body depth 2.8-3.05 in SL; head length (HL) 2.2-2.3 in SL; snout length 3.0-3.15 in HL; orbit diameter 4.65--4.95 in HL; nearly one-half of orbit extending above dorsal profile of head; interorbital width 6.75-7.2 in HL. Pair of interorbital ridges flaring posteriorly, then curving medially to join slight incurved ridge at front of occipital pit; median interorbital ridge extending half way back in interorbital space; occipital pit shallow and not flat. Coronal spines and pretympanic spines absent. Suborbital pit not well developed; suborbital ridge with 4 spines, the first on lacrimal; two ventral spines on lacrimal, one directed mainly anteriorly and the other curving posteriorly. First dorsal spine 1.9-2.4 in second spine; third dorsal spine longest, 2.2-2.7 in HL; eleventh dorsal spine 1.55-2.0 in twelfth spine; second anal spine 1.65-2.0 in HL. Supraoccipital tentacle absent. Body color variable, the darkest blotches usually above tip of upper opercular spine, two on lateral line, two obliquely above and forward of these, two in soft portion of dorsal fin, and one in anal fin .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Scorpaenopsis Eschmeyeri is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

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

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 1 - 24 m . Subtropical

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.9±0.7

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01288 × L3.02 (TL)
Max TL
7.6cm
Dorsal Spines
12
Dorsal Rays
9
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
5

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2015

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
31.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.9
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Randall & Greenfield, 2004

⚠️ 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

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Scorpaenopsis Eschmeyeri ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.