Scorpaena grandicornis

Family	Scientific Name	Author	Year	Common Name
Scorpaenidae	Scorpaena grandicornis	Cuvier	1829	Plumed Scorpionfish

All Scorpaena Species: Dorsal-fin spines almost always 12. Palatine teeth present. First preopercular spine longest, not counting accessory spine at base of first spine. Soft dorsal fin rays 10 1/2 or fewer (usually 8 1/2 or 9 1/2). Lateral line complete, extending to caudal fin. Pigment on caudal peduncle not strongly spotted. Scales on body cycloid (smooth to touch). Bones of head strong; a pit in occiput on top of head in most species. Scales relatively large, about 50 vertical rows above lateral lines on sides (FAO 2002).

Scorpaena grandicornis

Unique Characters: Two preorbital spines on ventral margin of lacrimal bone. Occipital pit on top of head in specimens greater than about 50-60 mm. Supplemental preopercular spine present. No large spot on dorsal fin between spines 4 and 7. Inside surface of pectoral fin without distinct brown spots. Vertical scale rows usually less than 50. Eye moderate, diameter of orbit 0.9-1.3 times snout length. Pectoral fin in adults not reaching past third anal-fin spine. Inside surface of pectoral fin with white specks less than 0.5 mm in diameter over a dusky background. Tympanic spine at front of occipital pit reduced or absent. Supraoccular cirrus usually large and fleshy, with accessory flaps.

Similar Species:

Scorpaena agassizii, Longfin Scorpionfish

Longfin Scorpionfish, Scorpaena agassizii. Two preorbital spines on ventral margin of lacrimal bone. Occipital pit on top of head in specimens greater than about 50-60 mm. Supplemental preopercular spine present. No large spot on dorsal fin between spines 4 and 7. Inside surface of pectoral fin without distinct brown spots. Vertical scale rows usually less than 50. Eye large, diameter of orbit 1.5-2.2 times snout length. Pectoral fin in adults reaches past posterior end of anal-fin base (FAO 2002).

Scorpaena albifimbria, Coral Scorpionfish

Coral Scorpionfish, Scorpaena albifimbria. Two preorbital spines on ventral margin of lacrimal bone. Occipital pit on top of head shallow in specimens greater than about 50-60 mm. Supplemental preopercular spine present. No large spot on dorsal fin between spines 4 and 7. Inside surface of pectoral fin without distinct brown spots. Vertical scale rows usually less than 50. Eye moderate, diameter of orbit 0.9-1.3 times snout length. Pectoral fin in adults not reaching past third anal-fin spine. Inside surface of pectoral fin usually pale coloured, without white spots. Tympanic spine well developed (FAO 2002).

Scorpaena bergii, Goosehead Scorpionfish

Goosehead Scorpionfish, Scorpaena bergii. Two preorbital spines on ventral margin of lacrimal bone. Occipital pit on top of head in specimens greater than about 50-60 mm. Supplemental preopercular spine present. Distinct large spot on dorsal fin between spines 4 and 7. Suborbital ridge with only a single spine at end of ridge (not counting preopercular spines). Pectoral-fin rays 16 or 17. Third anal-fin spine not longer than second anal-fin spine (FAO 2002).

Scorpaena brasiliensis, Barbfish

Barbfish, Scorpaena brasiliensis. Two preorbital spines on ventral margin of lacrimal bone. Occipital pit on top of head in specimens greater than about 50-60 mm. Supplemental preopercular spine present. No large spot on dorsal fin between spines 4 and 7. Inside surface of pectoral fin and on body between pectoral and anal fins with distinct small brown spots (0.5-2 mm in diameter) on a pallid background. 50-63 vertical scale rows above lateral line (FAO 2002).

Scorpaena calcarata, Smoothhead Scorpionfish

Smoothhead Scorpionfish, Scorpaena calcarata. Two preorbital spines on ventral margin of lacrimal bone. No occipital pit at top of head; supplemental preopercular spine absent. No mushroom-shaped skin flaps on eye. Predorsal length 34-40% of standard length; jaw length 19-23% standard length (FAO 2002).

Scorpaena dispar, Hunchback Scorpionfish

Hunchback Scorpionfish, Scorpaena dispar. Three or 4 preorbital spines on ventral margin of lacrimal bone in all but juvenile specimens (less than about 50-60 mm standard length). Inside surface of pectoral fin pallid or sometimes with large dark blotches on fin (FAO 2002).

Scorpaena inermis, Mushroom Scorpionfish

Mushroom Scorpionfish, Scorpaena inermis. Two preorbital spines on ventral margin of lacrimal bone. No occipital pit at top of head. Supplemental preopercular spine absent. Mushroom-shaped skin flaps on dorsal part of eye. Predorsal length 40-47% of standard length; jaw length 24-26% standard length (FAO 2002).

Scorpaena isthmensis, Smoothcheek Scorpionfish

Smoothcheek Scorpionfish, Scorpaena isthmensis. Two preorbital spines on ventral margin of lacrimal bone. Occipital pit on top of head in specimens greater than about 50-60 mm. Supplemental preopercular spine present. Distinct large spot on dorsal fin between spines 4 and 7. Suborbital ridge prominent, but without spinous points. Pectoral-fin rays 18 or 19 (rarely 17). Third anal-fin spine longer than second anal-fin spine (FAO 2002).

Scorpaena plumieri, Spotted Scorpionfish

Spotted Scorpionfish, Scorpaena plumieri. Three or 4 preorbital spines on ventral margin of lacrimal bone in all but juvenile specimens (less than about 50-60 mm standard length). Inside surface of pectoral fin and adjacent body with large white spots on a black background in specimens greater than 30 mm standard length (FAO 2002).

Reference:

Goode, G.B. and T.H. Bean. 1896. Oceanic ichthyology. A treatise on the deep-sea and pelagic fishes of the world, based chiefly upon the collections made by the Steamers Blake, Albatross, and Fish Hawk in the northwestern Atlantic, with an atlas containing 417 figures. Special Bulletin. Smithsonian Institution. United States National Museum. Washington, DC. 927 pp.