General Description

Robust head and body, tapering toward tail base; head rather smooth, armed with low spines, eyes large; anterior dorsal-fin spines very long, only connected at base; pectoral fins large, not reaching beyond anal fin origin; underside of lower jaw with many tiny pores on either side. Greyish to mottled red above with 3 diffuse darker saddle-like bands, underside pale; spinous dorsal fin with 2 dark blotches. To 40 cm.

Biology

The largest scorpionfish in Port Phillip, and occasionally taken on hook and line. It is considered very good eating and taken in commercial trawls. The fin spines are venomous and can inflict a very painful wound.

Distribution

Southern Australia.

Habitat

Hard bottom areas in bays and along the coast, in depths of 1-180 m.

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