curved bands on pectoral fins and bars on side are less well defined; also known as Short-finned scorpionfish; found throughout the region; Indo-C. Pacific; to 15 cm.
2 ZEBRA LION FISH
Dendrochirus zebra (Cuvier, 1829)
Inhabits coral reefs; distinguished by large pectoral fins without elongate, free filamentous rays, similar to 1 above, but bands on pectoral fins poorly defined and bars on side more distinct, also known as Butterfly scorpionfish; found throughout the region; Indo-C Pacific; to 18 cm.
3 RAGGED-FINNED FIREFISH
Pterois antennata (Bloch, 1787)
Inhabits coral reefs, usually in caves and crevices distinguished by white filamentous pectoral rays, row of large dark spots at base of this fin and relatively few dark bars on head; also known as Spotfin lionfish; found throughout the region; Indo-C. Pacific; to 30 cm.
4 DEEPWATER FIREFISH
Pterois mombasae (Smith, 1957)
Inhabits offshore reefs, usually below 40 m depth; distinguished by relatively short filamentous tips on pectoral fin which is densely spotted and maze of dark and light bands on tail base; N.W. Australia and Indonesia; Indo-W. Pacific; to 16 cm.
5 SPOTLESS FIREFISH
Pterois russelli Bennett, 1831
Inhabits offshore reefs, usually below 20-30 m depth; distinguished by filamentous pectoral rays and lack of spots on dorsal, anal, and tail fins; found throughout the region; Indo-W. Pacific; to 30 cm.
6 RED FIREFISH
Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758)
Inhabits coral and rocky reefs, usually in caves or crevices, distinguished by broad filamentous pectoral rays, similar to 5 above, but has spots on dorsal, anal, and tail fins; also known as Butterfly cod and Volitans lionfish; found throughout the region; Indo-C. Pacific; to 38 cm.
7 ROUNDFACE FIREFISH
Brachypterois serrulatus (Richardson, 1846)
Inhabits deeper trawling grounds, distinguished by dusky fan-like pectoral fins without free filamentous rays, lack of distinct bars on side, and faint spotting on dorsal, anal, and tail fins;N.W. Australia and Timor-Arafura seas; E. Indian Ocean and W. Pacific; to 10 cm.
8 ESTUARINE STONEFISH
Synanceja horrida (Linnaeus, 1766)
Inhabits estuaries and inshore areas on sand or mud bottoms, amongst rocks, or sometimes under dead coral slabs; distinguished by stone-like appearance and warty projections on body; a similar species, S. verrucosa (not shown), occurs on coral reefs, fin spines extremely venomous; found throughout the region; E. Indian Ocean and W. Pacific; to 47 cm.
9 MONKEYFISH
Erosa erosa (Langsdorf, 1829)
Inhabits trawling grounds; similar to 10 below, but has slight hump in front of dorsal fin, white spots on outer part of pectoral fin and narrow cross-bars on tail; also known as Pitted scorpionfish; found throughout the region; mainly W. Pacific; to 15 cm.
10 DAMPIE R STONEFISH
Dampierosa daruma Whitley, 1932 Inhabits coastal waters in the vicinity of reefs, sometimes under wharves; similar to 9 above, but has rounded head profile without hump in front of dorsal fin, broad white band (instead of spots) on outer pectoral fin and a single dark bar across middle part of tail; N.W. Australia only; to 13 cm.
11 COCKATOO WASPFISH
Ablabys taenianotus (Cuvier, 1829)
Inhabits coastal reefs; distinguished by thin, laterally compressed body, vertical profile of snout, and elevated rays at front of dorsal fin; found throughout the region; Indo-W. Pacific; to 10 cm.
12 BLACKSPOT WASPFISH
Cottapistus praepositus (Ogilby, 1903)
Inhabits trawling grounds; similar to 11 above, but has larger eye, lacks elevated rays at front of dorsal fin, and has prominent dark blotch above pectoral fin; N. Australia and Indonesia; E. Indian Ocean and W. Pacific; to 13 cm.
13 PLUMB-STRIPED STINGFISH
Minous versicolor Ogilby, 1910
Inhabits trawling grounds; distinguished by irregular stripes and blotches on upper side, and wavy cross bands on dorsal and tail fins, also has free lower-most pectoral ray; N. Australia only; to 11 cm.
14 SPOT FIN WASPFISH
Paracentropogon vespa Ogilby, 1910 Inhabits trawling grounds; similar to 11 and 12 above, but has large dark blotch on base of front part of dorsal fin; N. Australia only; to 9 cm.
15 DEMON STINGER
Inimicus didactylus (Pallas, 1769)
Inhabits rubble bottoms, frequently in the vicinity of coral reefs; distinguished by large upturned mouth, free pair of rays at lowermost part of pectoral fin, and prominent dorsal spines, similar to 16 below, but has yellow tail with dark submarginal bar and pale band across pectoral fin; N.W. Australia and throughout S.E. Asia; mainly Indo-Australian Archipelago; to 18 cm.
16 SPOTTED STINGER
Inimicus sinensis (Valenciennes, 1833)
Inhabits rubble bottoms; similar to 15 above, but tail mainly dusky or spotted (not yellow with dark cross bar) and lacks pale band on pectoral fin; N.W. Australia, Gulf of Carpentaria and throughout S.E. Asia; E. Indian Ocean and W. Pacific; to 25 cm.
WARNING! The fishes shown on Plates 19 and 20 possess venomous fin spines and handling of live or freshly dead specimens should be avoided. The Estuarine Stonefish is amongst the most venomous of all fishes and is capable of causing death. Symptoms of scorpionfish stings range from a bee-sting type sensation to violent pain and may lead to unconsciousness or extended coma. Immersing the wound in very hot water is an effective first aid treatment and a physician should be consulted immediately.
PLATE 20: SCORPIONFISHES (FAMILY SCORPAENIDAE)
1 SHORT-FINNED WASPFISH
Apistops coloundra (De Vis, 1886)
Inhabits trawling grounds; distinguished by 5 chin barbels, diffuse dark stripes on side and spot on dorsal fin, similar to 2 below, but pectoral fins shorter (do not reach the rear part of anal fin); N. Australia only; to 12 cm.
2 LONG-FINNED WASPFISH
Hypodytes carinatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Inhabits trawling grounds, similar to 1 above, but with 3 chin barbels, no stripes on side and pectoral fins usually longer, reaching to rear part of anal fin; found throughout the region; Indo-W. Pacific; to 18 cm.
