Student Stuff
Weedy Scorpionfish
Rhinopias aphanes Eschmeyer, 1973
The Weedy Scorpionfish is recorded from north-eastern Australia as well as other areas of the Pacific and Japan. It is found in coral reefs between 6 and 25m in depth.
This species has a distinctive head shape, an upturned mouth, tentacles on the snout, and skin flaps on the body. The species varies in colour from yellow to brown, green or black and is covered by a maze-like pattern. Surprisingly the Weedy Scorpionfish is easily overlooked by divers even though it sits on the coral, often in full view. It reaches a maximum length of 25cm.
Weedy Scorpionfish - whole.
The Weedy Scorpionfish in the upper image was photographed by G. McNeil at a depth of 15m near Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The lower image shows a Weedy Scorpionfish specimen collected at a depth of 15m on the Outer Great Barrier Reef Survey in the Coral Sea at Portlock Reef. This specimen is now in the Australian Museum Fish Collection under registration number AMS I.33752-001.
Further reading
- Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 507.
