TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and flatheads)
Family: Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes)

Genus/species: Sebastapistes cyanostigma

IMG_4381

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: large head, relatively smooth skin,spotted, usually yellow and white on a pinkish red background. No dark bars on underside of head. Common length : 6.4 cm or 2.5 inches.

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT:Tropical, Indo-Pacific. Typically found among the branches of Pocillopora corals in surge areas of seaward reefs. Also observed between the branches of the fire coral.

DIET IN THE WILD: Crustaceans and small fishes.

IMG_0029

REMARKS: A master of camouflage, this small fish hide among corals, changing colors to match its background. A viewer of the Fire Coral Tank where this little fish resides may look directly at the fish and still not see it. A true scorpionfish, it uses the sharp venomous spines on its back for protection.

IMG_7182

Venoms Cluster

Fire Coral exhibit, PR24

flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608341866427/

WordPress Shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-NJ