Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and flatheads) >
Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes) > Pteroinae
Etymology: Pterois: Greek, pteron = wing, fin (Ref. 45335). More on author: Cuvier.
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 30 m (Ref. 30573). Tropical, preferred ?; 32°N - 30°S
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to Sodwana Bay, South Africa and to the Society Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia. Records from the Mascarene Islands lack verification and are probably based on Pterois antennata (Ref. 33390).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 24.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9710); common length : 20.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5450)
Dorsal
spines
(total): 12 - 13;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 10-12;
Anal
spines: 3;
Anal
soft rays: 5 - 6. Reddish to brownish and with 5-6 broad dark bars on body separated by pale lines; horizontal dark area on caudal peduncle (Ref. 4313). Only species of Pterois that lacks markings between its vertical fin rays and has a pair of horizontal white stripes at base of its tail (Ref. 37816).
A generally uncommon species that inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Prefers rocky reefs and seems to avoid stony corals. Coastal, sometimes in surge zones where in narrow crevices, or along rock-walls in small caves (Ref. 48635). Found under ledges during the day (Ref. 9710). Feeds exclusively on small crabs and shrimps. Capable of inflicting a painful sting. Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 30874.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Eschmeyer, W.N., 1986. Scorpaenidae. p. 463-478. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. (Ref. 4313)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Human uses
Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial
More information
Common namesSynonymsMetabolismPredatorsEcotoxicologyReproductionMaturitySpawningFecundityEggsEgg development
ReferencesAquacultureAquaculture profileStrainsGeneticsAllele frequenciesHeritabilityDiseasesProcessingMass conversion
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Estimates of some properties based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82805): PD
50 = 0.5005 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01122 (0.00449 - 0.02805), b=3.09 (2.87 - 3.31), in cm Total Length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic Level (Ref.
69278): 3.6 ±0.59 se; Based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
69278): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate vulnerability (36 of 100) .