Scorpaenodes minor (Smith, 1958)
Minor scorpionfish
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae
Max. size:  5.2 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 52 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Samoa and the Austral Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands (Ref. 559).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-5. Nasal spine absent. Middle pectoral-fin rays extremely elongated. Description: Characterized by brown to reddish brown color; lower gill cover with large dark spot; often, side below dorsal fin notch with whitish bar; deeply notched dorsal fin; strongly projecting lower jaw; supraocular tentacle present or absent; relatively slender body, depth 3.2-3.5 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  A rare species (Ref. 4313) that inhabits reef flats, in areas of mixed sand and rubble (Ref. 9710). Venomous spines. Solitary and cryptic (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  venomous


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