Ocellate Scorpionfish, Parascorpaena mcadamsi (Fowler, 1938)

Scientific name: Parascorpaena mcadamsi
Alternative name/s:
Ocellated Scorpionfish
Ocellate Scorpionfish, <i>Parascorpaena mcadamsi</i> Click to enlarge image
An Ocellate Scorpionfish, Parascorpaena mcadamsi, collected at a depth between 6m and 9m, Chesterfield Bank, (between Australia and New Caledonia), 20 August 1988. Image: John E. Randall
© John E. Randall

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Parascorpaena
    Species
    mcadamsi
    Family
    Scorpaenidae
    Order
    Scorpaeniformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    7.5 cm

Introduction

The Ocellate Scorpionfish is a small mottled species of scorpionfish that lives on offshore tropical reefs.

Identification

The Ocellate Scorpionfish has quadrangular, naked depression behind the eyes. The colouration is variable but males have a dark spot on the dorsal fin between spines 8 and 10.

Distribution

It occurs on offshore reefs of northern Australia and throughout the tropical Indo-west Pacific.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.