Deepwater Scorpionfish

Setarches Guentheri
Deepwater Scorpionfish - Marinewise © 2026 MarineWise

Quick Facts

Scientific nameSetarches Guentheri
Other namesDeepsea Scorpionfish, Guenther's Scorpionfish
SizeUp to 25 cm (9.8 in)
WeightUnder .50 kg (1.10 lb)
FamilyDeepwater Scorpionfish / Setarchidae

Distribution

Habitat & AU DistributionDeepsea, soft & rocky ocean floor
Depth Range30 - 200 m (660 ft)
Deepwater Scorpionfish Distribution
Species Interaction

Recreational Fishing, Elusive Species

Deepwater Scorpionfish are not typically targeted for recreational fishing due to their depth range and habitat preferences. However, accidental catches can occur when targeting other species in their habitat. They are a relatively elusive species in terms of human interaction because of the depth of water in which they live in.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Scorpaeniformes

Family: Scorpaenidae

Genus: Setarches

Species: Setarches Guentheri

Conservation Status

The conservation status for the Deepwater Scorpionfish in Australia is currently listed as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This means that they are not currently considered to be at risk of extinction.

How to catch
Deepwater Scorpionfish

Catch Difficulty: Moderate

Tackle: Running sinker rig

Bait: Crab, Fresh cut fish bait, Pilchards, Prawns, Squid, Worms

Technique: Fish bait near reef or structure

Popularity: Mostly caught as bycatch

Elusive / Overlooked Species

Finding: Difficult

Temperament: Semi-Aggressive

Location: Outer reef, Deepsea, Offshore

Danger: Dorsal and Pectoral Spine