Fish

Scorpionfish

Scorpaenopsis species

A patient, frilly ambush hunter that looks like part of the reef. A treasure if you spot one, never touch, and never confuse it with a true stonefish.

Varies by speciesIn 22 Atlas countries

Varies by species: the common reef scorpionfish, like the tasselled scorpionfish, are Least Concern.

Well camouflaged scorpionfish on dark sand in Lembeh Strait — Photo: Kai Squires, iNaturalist, CC BY

Scorpionfish blending into a reef in Ko Lipe, Thailand — Photo: portioid, iNaturalist, CC BY

Scorpionfish with frilly skin flaps on a reef in Taiwan — Photo: Jay Paroline, iNaturalist, CC BY

Red scorpionfish resting on the reef off Oʻahu — Photo: Robin White, iNaturalist, CC BY

Mottled scorpionfish lying on sand in Hawaiʻi — Photo: Robin White, iNaturalist, CC BY

Photos show the species, not always the places on this page.

Length

Varies by species. Tasselled scorpionfish commonly about 30 cm (12 in); largest recorded about 36 cm (14 in). Leaf scorpionfish only up to about 10 cm (4 in)

Weight

Not reliably measured

Next to a person

About as long as a hand to a forearm

What it eats

Small fish and crustaceans that swim too close.

Around people

Potentially dangerous, respect

How it lives

Scorpionfish, like those of the genus Scorpaenopsis, sit still on reef, rubble and sand, covered in skin flaps and algae colours. They live alone and strike fast when prey comes close. Spines on the back, belly and rear fins carry venom. Stings are very painful, can take weeks or months to heal, and need a doctor, but they are usually less serious than true stonefish stings.

Where it goes

Resident. Scorpionfish stay in a small home area on the reef. No migration is known.

We only draw a journey on the map when scientists have tracked it or clearly documented it. For this animal we have not found one yet.

Populations

There are many scorpionfish species across the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea, and other kinds live in the warm Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The tasselled scorpionfish, for example, lives from the Red Sea and South Africa to the Mariana Islands and Taiwan.

Meet it respectfully

Keep neutral buoyancy, do not put hands, fins or knees on the reef, and never touch, poke or move a scorpionfish. Use a pointer only in the water, never on animals or the reef. If stung, soak in hot water you can tolerate (43 to 45°C), do not use a pressure bandage, and see a doctor. Get urgent help for weakness, vomiting or breathing problems. This is not medical advice.

Fun fact

Tap the bulb to light it up.

Sources for this page

Facts checked 26 September 2026. Photos: Unsplash licence, or Creative Commons as shown on each photo.

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