Relevant synonyms None Misidentification None Meristic formula D, XII+10; A, III+5-6; P, 18-19; V, I+5; LL, 25-27.  drawing : Tuvia Kurz

SHORT DESCRIPTION Body robust with large spiny head. Mouth large, terminal and oblique, with small, conical teeth on upper and lower jaws, vomer and palatines (2 rows). Snout equal or slightly longer than orbit diameter. Preorbital bone with 2 spines over maxilla, sub-orbital ridge with 4-5 spines, preopercular margin with 4 spines, and 2 opercular spines. Occipital pit present. Small cutaneous flaps on head (except in lower jaw) and along the lateral line and flanks. Pectoral fin large and rounded, with some branched rays. Small scales. Chest and head naked. color : red, brownish dorsally. A large black spot on dorsal fin, between spines 7 and 10. Fins with dusky blotches. size : common 15-25 cm (max. 40 cm). DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS Scorpaena maderensis: occipital pit absent. Scorpaena scrofa: cutaneous flaps on lower jaw. Scorpaena porcus: more than 60 vertical scale rows. Scorpaena loppei: maxilla with a longitudinal crest. Scorpaena elongata: spinous dorsal fin without a black spot, and large flaps on preorbital bone and preopercular margin. Scorpaena notata: snout slightly smaller than orbit diameter. Helicolenus dactylopterus: spines on top of head moderately developed. Trachyscorpia cristulata echinata: pectoral fin with 20 rays or more. Pontinus kuhli: All rays on pectoral fin unbranched. BIOLOGY / ECOLOGY Carnivorous. habitat : rocky.

1st MEDITERRANEAN RECORD Off northeastern Iberian coast, 1981. DISTRIBUTION Worldwide : Eastern Atlantic. Mediterranean : only a single record of two specimens off northeastern Iberian coast (Allué et al., 1981). ESTABLISHMENT SUCCESS Very rare. speculated reasons for success : - MODE OF INTRODUCTION Via Gibraltar. IMPORTANCE TO HUMANS Unknown.

KEY REFERENCES Allué R., Lloris D. and Rucabado J., 1981. Scorpaena stephanica Cadenat, 1943 (Osteichthyes, Scorpaenidae), primera cita para la ictiofauna europea, localizada en el Mediterráneo Occidental. Investigacion Pesquera, 45(2): 433-439. FEEDBACK / COMMENTS TO AUTHORS

Last update of the species sheet: March 2001 ©ciesm 2002