Scorpaena isthmensis

FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
ScorpaenidaeScorpaena isthmensisMeek and Hildebrand1928Smoothcheek Scorpionfish

Note: All Scorpaena — 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). Scales on body cycloid (smooth to touch).

Scorpaena isthmensis

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 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.

Similar Species:

Goosehead Scorpionfish Scorpaena bergii

Barbfish
Scorpaena brasiliensis

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 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.

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 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.

Longfin Scorpionfish Scorpaena agassizii

Plumed Scorpionfish Scorpaena grandicornis

Coral Scorpionfish Scorpaena albifimbria

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 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.

Plumed Scorpionfish Scorpaena grandicornis. Two preorbital spines on ventral margin of lacrimal bone. Occipital pit on top of head in specimens greater than about 50-60 mm. Supplemental 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.

Coral Scorpionfish Scorpaena albifimbria. Two preorbital spines on ventral margin of lacrimal bone. Occipital pit on top of head in specimens greater than about 50-60 mm. Supplemental 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 colored, without white spots. Tympanic spine well developed.

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