PORT PHILLIP BAY


Southern Red Scorpionfish 

Scorpaena papillosa (Schneider & Forster, 1801)

View scientific description and taxonomy

General Description

Head and body robust; spines on cheeks, gill covers and a pair on top of the head. Mottled reddish to reddish-brown with darker blotches and whitish patches, and a black spot on the dorsal fin. Some individuals with a white band behind the eyes and on the tail base. To 30 cm.

Biology

This well-camouflaged species has venomous fin spines.

Habitat

Rocky reefs and soft bottoms in bays and along the coast, in depths of 1-188 m.

Reefs

Soft substrates

Distribution guide

New Zealand and south-eastern Australia.

Species Group

Fishes Scorpionfishes

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

30 cm

Harmful

Venomous spines can inflict mild to severe pain.

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Bray, D.J.

Di Bray is a Senior Collection Manager of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

Author

article author Gomon, M.F.

Dr. Martin Gomon is a Senior Curator of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. & Gomon, M.F., 2011, Southern Red Scorpionfish, Scorpaena papillosa, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 10 Jul 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/6510

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