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Scorpaenodes caribbaeus Meek & Hildebrand, 1928 Reef scorpionfish |
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photo by
Itriago, H. |
| Family: | Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae | |||
| Max. size: | 12 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 70 m | |||
| Distribution: | Western Atlantic: Florida, USA and Bahamas to Panama and northern South America. Antilles, western and southern Caribbean (Ref. 26938). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-5. Has conspicuous dark spot on rear dorsal fin spines. Without occipital pit (Ref. 26938). Palatine teeth absent; no preorbital spines; suborbital ridge with 4 or 5 spinous points (Ref. 13442). | |||
| Biology: | Inhabits coral reefs. Sometimes drifts above hard substratum or near ceilings of caves or ledges. Secretive but common (Ref. 9710). Maximum depth from Ref. 126840. | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 August 2012 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||