BioTaucher
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Scorpaenopsis macrochir Ogilby, 1910
The Flasher Dragonhead has a broad, spiny head with a wide gap between the eyes and a strongly arched back. It has 12 spines in the dorsal fin, as well as nine soft rays. The anal fin has three spines and five soft rays.
The general color of this fish is mottled brown and white. The large pectoral fin is colored yellow and orange on the inside and has a complete, wide black band around the edge.
This fish is one of five very similar species of scorpionfish and can be distinguished from S. diabolus, S. gibbosa, and S. obtusa by the markings on the inside of the pectoral fin.
Scorpaenopsis macrochir is native to tropical and subtropical waters from western and northwestern Australia, the Moluccas, and the Philippines to the Marquesas, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Rowley Shoals, Tonga, and the Marianas and Caroline Islands in Micronesia.
The Scorpionfish is typically found on soft substrates where it buries itself and lurks for prey.
This fish occasionally enters the aquarium trade and is often confused with its larger relative Scorpaena diabolus (the Devil Scorpionfish). Like other scorpionfishes, Scorpaenopsis macrochir has venomous dorsal spines. Although venomous, these spines are never used to attack other creatures, but are used solely for defense.
As the name "Flasher Dragonhead " implies, this fish has bright orange and yellow "flash" colors on the inside of its pectoral fins to ward off and confuse potential attackers. These bright colors also serve as a warning that this fish is venomous.
The Flasher Dragonhead has a broad, spiny head with a wide gap between the eyes and a strongly arched back. It has 12 spines in the dorsal fin, as well as nine soft rays. The anal fin has three spines and five soft rays.
The general color of this fish is mottled brown and white. The large pectoral fin is colored yellow and orange on the inside and has a complete, wide black band around the edge.
This fish is one of five very similar species of scorpionfish and can be distinguished from S. diabolus, S. gibbosa, and S. obtusa by the markings on the inside of the pectoral fin.
Scorpaenopsis macrochir is native to tropical and subtropical waters from western and northwestern Australia, the Moluccas, and the Philippines to the Marquesas, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Rowley Shoals, Tonga, and the Marianas and Caroline Islands in Micronesia.
The Scorpionfish is typically found on soft substrates where it buries itself and lurks for prey.
This fish occasionally enters the aquarium trade and is often confused with its larger relative Scorpaena diabolus (the Devil Scorpionfish). Like other scorpionfishes, Scorpaenopsis macrochir has venomous dorsal spines. Although venomous, these spines are never used to attack other creatures, but are used solely for defense.
As the name "Flasher Dragonhead " implies, this fish has bright orange and yellow "flash" colors on the inside of its pectoral fins to ward off and confuse potential attackers. These bright colors also serve as a warning that this fish is venomous.
