The scorpion fish is a combination of red, yellow, orange and brown stains that give it a cryptic colouring (camouflage). As a defence mechanism, it has poisonous needles located in front of the dorsal, anal, ventral fins and on the operculum, which characterises these kinds of animals. It has a strong body, slightly compressed and a large head. Its mouth is very large with small appendices over the nasal orifices. It is a benthonic species of mainly rocky beds, although it is also found on sandy beds. It usually lives at depths of 20 to 200 m. These are solitary fish, territorial, and live on the bed. They remain totally immobile until they are threatened, and then they raise a small “veil” and stop after a few metres.

It is a carnivorous species that feeds on fish, crustaceans and molluscs.

Its reproduction is oviparous. It lays its eggs in spring and summer between the months of May and August.

INTERESTING FACTS

When they are captured they raise their needles and seem to inflate with their mouth open, showing all their poisonous needles.

Conservation status