Eastern Red Scorpionfish

Interesting Info

• The Eastern Red Scorpionfish is found along the eastern coast of Australia, from southern Queensland to lower parts of New South Wales. It is particularly common in the waters of New South Wales, where suitable rocky reef habitats are abundant.
• They are a beautifully coloured fish with a distinctive appearance. It has a stocky body covered in rough, bumpy skin and is predominantly red or reddish-brown in colour. It often has intricate patterns and markings, including darker spots and stripes, which help it blend in with its surroundings.
• The Eastern Red Scorpionfish has evolved remarkable camouflage to blend in with its surroundings. Its bumpy skin texture and coloration, often resembling the surrounding rocks and corals, help it remain undetected by both predators and prey. This species also possesses a behaviour known as aggressive mimicry, in which it imitates the appearance and movements of prey to lure them closer before striking.
• They are opportunistic predators, primarily feed on small fish, including juvenile reef species, as well as crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp. They have a voracious appetite and the ability to consume prey almost as large as themselves.
• Like other scorpionfish, they possess venomous spines on their dorsal fin, which are primarily a defence mechanism. These spines contain a toxin that can cause intense pain and swelling if a person is accidentally stung.
• They are broadcast spawners, which means they release their eggs and sperm into the water where fertilisation takes place externally. Breeding usually occurs during the warmer months of spring and summer, from September to February in Australia, when water temperatures are more conducive to successful reproduction.
• Estimates of lifespan are between 10 – 15 years.