Scorpaenopsis barbata

Scorpaenopsis barbata, common name bearded scorpionfish, is a species of scorpionfish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae.[2][3]

Scorpaenopsis barbata
Scorpaenopsis barbata from Sharm El Sheik
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Scorpaeniformes
Family:
Scorpaenidae
Genus:
Scorpaenopsis
Species:
S. barbata
Binomial name
Scorpaenopsis barbata
(Ruppell, 1838)
Synonyms
  • Scorpaenopsis barbatus (Ruppell, 1838)
  • Scorpaena barbata Rüppell, 1838
  • Scorpaenopsis venosa (non Cuvier, 1829)

Distribution

This species can be found in the Western Indian Ocean, from the Red Sea to the coasts of Somalia, of Madagascar and South Africa.[4]

Habitat

These tropical reef-associated fishes live in rocky coastlines, in rubble and on sand around coral patches at depth up to 30 m.[4][5]

Description
Scorpaenopsis barbata from Sudan coast. Close-up

Scorpaenopsis barbata can reach a length of 22 centimetres (8.7 in). They are brightly colored and heavily camouflaged. They have a broad spiny head with a large mouth and feathery fins. Body is reddish brown or dark brown, with whitish and blackish blotches. Many fleshy outgrowths of skin protrude from their chin (hence the common name of bearded scorpionfish). These fishes have twelve dorsal spines, nine dorsal soft rays, three anal spines and five anal soft rays. Fin spines may bear venom glands at the base.[4][6]

Biology

These ambush hunters usually rest during the day in crevices in the coral reefs. They mainly feed on crustaceans and other small fishes.

Bibliography
  • Carpenter, K.E., F. Krupp, D.A. Jones i U. Zajonz, 1997. FAO species identification field guide for fishery purposes. Living marine resources of Kuwait, eastern Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. FAO, Roma, Itàlia. 293 p
  • Eschmeyer, William N., ed. 1998. Catalog of Fishes. Special Publication of the Center for Biodiversity Research and Information, núm. 1, vol. 1–3. California Academy of Sciences. San Francisco, USA. ISBN 0-940228-47-5.
  • Krupp, F., M. Almarri, U. Zajonz, K. Carpenter, S. Almatar i H. Zetzsche, 2000. Twelve new records of fishes from the Gulf. Fauna of Arabia 18:323-335.
  • Randall, J.E i W.N. Eschmeyer, 2001. Revision of the Indo-Pacific scorpionfish genus Scopaenopsis, with descriptions of eight new species. Indo-Pacific Fishes (34):79 p.
  • Randall, J.E., 1995. Coastal fishes of Oman. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii. 439 p.
  • Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen i W.F. Smith-Vaniz, 1978. Illustrated identification guide to commercial fishes. Regional Fishery Survey and Development Project. Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates. UNDP/FAO F1:DP/RAB/71/278/3. 221 p. FAO, Roma.
  • Sommer, C., W. Schneider i J.-M. Poutiers, 1996. FAO species identification field guide for fishery purposes. The living marine resources of Somalia. FAO, Roma. 376 p.

References
  1. Motomura, H., Matsuura, K. & Khan, M. 2018. Scorpaenopsis barbata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T46098411A46665169. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T46098411A46665169.en. Downloaded on 20 July 2020.
  2. Biolib
  3. ITIS Report
  4. Fishbase
  5. Richard Field Reef Fishes of Oman
  6. Aquatic Commons


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