Scorpionfishes: fishes of the family Scorpaenidae

Scorpaenid fishes are widely distributed in terms of both latitude and depth raging from the tropical to boreal seas. As well they range from scuba diving depths to much deeper. As suggested by the name scorpionfish, many have venomous spines.

Leaf Scorpionfish
Leaf Scorpionfish (Taenianotus triacanthus) photographed while scuba diving off Maui, Hawaii.
Actinopterygii Chordata Class Actinopterygii Hawaii Infraclass Teleostei Leaf Scorpionfish Maui Maui County Maui dive site Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Taenianotus triacanthus Tank and LST Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild winter
Devil Scorpionfish waiting to ambush prey
Devil Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopisis diabolus) waiting to ambush prey
Actinopterygii Big Island Chordata Class Actinopterygii Dangerous marine animal Devil Scorpionfish Hawaii Hawaii Island Infraclass Teleostei Kona Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Scorpaenopsis diabolus Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei The Big Island United States Venomous Vertebrate biosphere chordate dangerous deadly detrimental fatal harmful in situ lethal marine life mortal naturalworld nature pernicious scuba scuba diving toxic underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto venomous fish wild
Hawaiian Turkeyfish
Hawaiian Turkeyfish (Pterois sphex), a Hawaiian endemic, belongs to the same genus as the Lionfish (P. volitans) that is an invasive species in the Caribbean Sea and western Atlantic Ocean. This specimen was photographed alongside conspecifics that were wedged in close to a ledge while the photographer was scuba diving the Kona coast, the Big Island, Hawaii.
Actinopterygii Chordata Class Actinopterygii Dangerous marine animal Hawaiian Turkeyfish Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Pterois sphex Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam underwater housing Spring Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Venomous Vertebrate biosphere chordate dangerous deadly detrimental fatal harmful in situ lethal marine life mortal naturalworld nature pernicious scuba scuba diving toxic underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto venomous fish wild
Hawaiian Turkeyfish
Hawaiian Turkeyfish (Pterois sphex) congregated under a ledge off the Kona coast, Hawaii Island
Actinopterygii Chordata Class Actinopterygii Dangerous marine animal Hawaiian Turkeyfish Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Pterois sphex Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam underwater housing Spring Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Venomous Vertebrate biosphere chordate dangerous deadly detrimental fatal harmful in situ lethal marine life mortal naturalworld nature pernicious scuba scuba diving toxic underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto venomous fish wild
Well-camouflaged Devil Scorpionfish
Well-camouflaged Devil Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis diabolus) resting on algae-covered dead coral off the Kona coast, Hawaii Island.
Actinopterygii Chordata Class Actinopterygii Dangerous marine animal Devil Scorpionfish Infraclass Teleostei Kona coast dive site Lone Tree Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Scorpaenopsis diabolus Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Venomous Vertebrate biosphere camouflage chordate dangerous deadly detrimental fatal harmful in situ lethal marine life mortal naturalworld nature pernicious scuba scuba diving toxic underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto venomous fish wild
Well-camouflaged Devil Scorpionfish
Well-camouflaged Devil Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis diabolus) resting on algae-covered dead coral off the Kona coast, Hawaii Island.
Actinopterygii Chordata Class Actinopterygii Dangerous marine animal Devil Scorpionfish Infraclass Teleostei Kona coast dive site Lone Tree Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Scorpaenopsis diabolus Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Venomous Vertebrate biosphere chordate dangerous deadly detrimental fatal harmful in situ lethal marine life mortal naturalworld nature pernicious scuba scuba diving toxic underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto venomous fish wild
China Rockfish
The China Rockfish (Sebastes nebulosus), is one of more than 60 congeners distributed along the Pacific coast of North America. The China Rockfish is a territorial shallow water demersal species. This specimen was photographed while scuba diving in Barkley Sound, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Actinopterygii Barkley Sound British Columbia Canada China Rockfish Chordata Class Actinopterygii Diplock Reef Infraclass Teleostei Invertebrate Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Phylum Chordata invertebrate portion of Rainy Bay Wall Ringtop Reef Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam underwater housing Sebastes nebulosus Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving sponge tunicate underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Canary Rockfish
Canary Rockfish, Sebastes pinniger. Aspect Ratio = 4:5.
Actinopterygii Barkley Sound British Columbia Canada Canary Rockfish Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Renata's Reef Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam underwater housing Sebastes pinniger Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Twin Peaks Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Copper Rockfish
Copper Rockfish (Sebastes caurinus.) is a shallow demersal (about 10 to 200m or 30 to 600 ft depth) species that ranges from Alaska to Baja California. They can be a half century old. This photograph was taken with a Nikon D2X camera in a Seacam underwater housing while scuba diving in Barkley Sound, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Actinopterygii Barkley Sound British Columbia Canada Canada Rendezvous Dock Chordata Class Actinopterygii Copper Rockfish Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Rendezvous Dive Adventures Rendezvous Dive Adventures Seacam underwater housing Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam Sebastes caurinus Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tyler Rock Vancouver Island Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Tiger Rockfish
Tiger Rockfish (Sebastes nigrocinctus), an inhabitant of rocky reef and boulder habitat of the northeast Pacific Ocean from Alaska to California, can reach an age of more than 100 years. This photograph was taken while scuba diving in Barkley Sound, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Actinopterygii Barkley Sound British Columbia Canada Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam underwater housing Sebastes nigrocinctus Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tiger Rockfish Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
China Rockfish
The China Rockfish (Sebastes nebulosus), is one of more than 60 congeners distributed along the Pacific coast of North America. The China Rockfish is a territorial shallow water demersal species. This specimen was photographed while scuba diving in Barkley Sound, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Actinopterygii Barkley Sound British Columbia Canada China Rockfish Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam underwater housing Sebastes nebulosus Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Vermillion Rockfish
Vermillion Rockfish, Sebastes miniatus. Aspect Ratio = 1:1.
Actinopterygii Barkley Sound British Columbia Canada Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam underwater housing Sebastes miniatus Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Vermillion Rockfish Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Canary Rockfish
Canary Rockfish, Sebastes pinniger. Aspect Ratio = 2:3.
Actinopterygii Barkley Sound British Columbia Canada Canary Rockfish Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam underwater housing Sebastes pinniger Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Yellowtail Rockfish
Yellowtail Rockfish (Sebastes flavidus) are found from Alaska to southern California from the surface to depths of about 550 meters (1800 ft).
Actinopterygii Barkley Sound British Columbia Canada Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam underwater housing Sebastes flavidus Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Vertebrate Yellowtail Rockfish biosphere chordate in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature parasite scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Puget Sound Rocfkish
The Puget Sound Rockfish (Sebastes emphaeus) is one of the smallest of the rockfishes (maximum length is <8 inches; < 20 cm). They range from southeast Alaska to northern California.
Actinopterygii Barkley Sound British Columbia Canada Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Puget Sound Rockfish Rendezvous Dive Adventures Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam underwater housing Sebastes emphaeus Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Tiger Rockfish
Tiger Rockfish (Sebastes nigrocinctus), an inhabitant of rocky reef and boulder habitat of the northeast Pacific Ocean from Alaska to California, can reach an age of more than 100 years. This photograph was taken while scuba diving in Barkley Sound, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Actinopterygii Barkley Sound British Columbia Canada Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam underwater housing Sebastes nigrocinctus Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tiger Rockfish Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Quillback Rockfish
Quillback Rockfish (Sebastes maliger), which are distrbuted along the Pacific coast from Alaska to California, are named for their long and venomous dorsal fin spines.
Actinopterygii Barkley Sound British Columbia Canada Chordata Chup Point Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Quillback Rockfish Rendezvous Dive Adventures Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam Seacam underwater housing Sebastes maliger Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tyler Rock Vancouver Island Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Quillback Rockfish
This close up of a Quillback Rockfish, (Sebastes maliger) reveals eye structure. Aspect ratio = 1:1.
Actinopterygii Barkley Sound British Columbia Canada Chordata Chup Point Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Quillback Rockfish Rendezvous Dive Adventures Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam Seacam underwater housing Sebastes maliger Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tyler Rock Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Copper Rockfish
Copper Rockfish (Sebastes caurinus.) is a shallow demersal (about 10 to 200m or 30 to 600 ft depth) species that ranges from Alaska to Baja California. They can be a half century old. This photograph was taken with a Nikon D2X camera in a Seacam underwater housing while scuba diving in Barkley Sound, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Actinopterygii Barkley Sound British Columbia Canada Chordata Class Actinopterygii Copper Rockfish Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Rendezvous Dive Adventures Seacam underwater housing Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam Sebastes caurinus Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Vancouver Island Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Black Rockfish
Black Rockfish (Sebastes melanops) with a parasitic copepod with twin egg cases on a dorsal fin spine. Aspect Ratio = 2:3.
Actinopterygii Alaska Alaska wild salmon Barkley Sound Black Rockfish British Columbia Canada Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam underwater housing Sebastes melonops South Central Alaska Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature parasite scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
China Rockfish
The China Rockfish (Sebastes nebulosus), is one of more than 60 congeners distributed along the Pacific coast of North America. The China Rockfish is a territorial shallow water demersal species. This specimen was photographed while scuba diving in Barkley Sound, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Actinopterygii Barkley Sound British Columbia Canada China Rockfish Chordata Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam underwater housing Sebastes nebulosus Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Quillback Rockfish
Quillback Rockfish (Sebastes maliger), which are distrbuted along the Pacific coast from Alaska to California, are named for their long and venomous dorsal fin spines.
Actinopterygii Barkley Sound British Columbia Canada Chordata Chup Point Class Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Quillback Rockfish Rendezvous Dive Adventures Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam Seacam underwater housing Sebastes maliger Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Tyler Rock Vancouver Island Vertebrate biosphere chordate in situ marine life naturalworld nature scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Devil Scorpionfish
A Devil Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis diabolus) near Maui Island, Hawaii. Aspect Ratio = 2:3.
Actinopterygii Chordata Class Actinopterygii Dangerous marine animal Devil Scorpionfish Hawaii Infraclass Teleostei Neopterygii Phylum Chordata Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Scorpaenopsis diabolus Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Venomous Vertebrate biosphere chordate dangerous deadly detrimental fatal harmful in situ lethal marine marine life mortal naturalworld nature pernicious scuba scuba diving toxic underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto venomous fish wild
Hawaiian Lionfish
A Hawaiian Lionfish (Dendrochirus barberi), a Hawaiian endemic, perched on antler coral (Pocillopora eydouxi) at Maui Island, Hawaii. Aspect ratio = 2:3.
formally Pocillopora eydouxi Actinopterygii Anthozoa Antler Coral Chordata Class Actinopterygii Class Anthozoa Cnidaria Dangerous marine animal Dendrochirus barberi Hawaii Hawaiian Lionfish Hawaiian endemic Infraclass Teleostei Invertebrate Neopterygii Order Scleractinia Phylum Chordata Phylum Cnidaria Pocillopora grandis Pocilloporidae Scorpaenidae Scorpaeniformes Seacam underwater housing Subclass Hexacorallia Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei United States Venomous Vertebrate Zoantharia biosphere chordate cnidarian coelenterate dangerous deadly detrimental endemic fatal harmful in situ lethal marine marine life mortal naturalworld nature pernicious scuba scuba diving toxic underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto venomous fish wild