---
title: Scorpionfishes (Scorpaenidae)
scientific_name: Scorpaenidae
common_name: Scorpionfishes
rank: Family
published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z
updated: 2026-08-03T21:13:15.166Z
tags: Scorpionfishes, Scorpaenidae, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes
---

# Scorpionfishes (*Scorpaenidae*)

## Quick facts

- **Rank:** Family
- **Scientific name:** Scorpaenidae
- **Body shape:** Bottom-dwelling - Stocky, big-headed, sits on the reef or sand rather than swims - scorpionfishes, groupers, gobies.
- **Species listed here:** 18

## How to recognise this group

- stocky, big-headed body
- mottled, cryptic coloration
- prominent, sharp fin spines
- typically motionless on substrate

Scorpionfishes (family Scorpaenidae) are robust, stocky-bodied benthic fishes, typically with large heads and broad mouths. Their bodies are covered in an array of spines, ridges, and dermal flaps. These features, combined with mottled and cryptic patterns of browns, reds, or greens, provide highly effective camouflage against their surroundings. Most species possess venom glands at the base of sharp spines in their dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins, which deliver a painful defensive sting and explain their common name. Adult sizes for commonly encountered species range from about 10 to 40 cm (4 to 16 inches) in length.

These fishes are ambush predators, feeding on smaller fishes and crustaceans. They inhabit a wide range of benthic environments, including rocky reefs, coral gardens, rubble zones, and sandy patches, from shallow waters down to 100 metres (330 feet). Scorpionfishes remain motionless for extended periods, waiting for prey to approach before striking quickly. Primarily solitary and sedentary, they are frequently encountered by divers, though their excellent camouflage often renders them overlooked.


## Species (18)

- [Ambon Scorpionfish (Pteroidichthys amboinensis)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes/ambon-scorpionfish)
- [Bandedfin Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis vittapinna)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes/bandedfin-scorpionfish)
- [Barchin Scorpionfish (Sebastapistes strongia)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes/barchin-scorpionfish)
- [Bearded Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis barbata)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes/bearded-scorpionfish)
- [Clearfin Lionfish (Pteropterus cinctus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes/clearfin-lionfish)
- [Common Lionfish (Pterois miles)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes/common-lionfish)
- [False Stonefish (Scorpaenopsis diabolus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes/false-stonefish)
- [Golden Scorpionfish (Parascorpaena aurita)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes/golden-scorpionfish)
- [Guam Scorpionfish (Scorpaenodes guamensis)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes/guam-scorpionfish)
- [Hairy Scorpionfish (Scorpaenodes hirsutus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes/hairy-scorpionfish)
- [Lowfin Scorpionfish (Scorpaenodes parvipinnis)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes/lowfin-scorpionfish)
- [Ocellated Waspfish (Apistus carinatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes/ocellated-waspfish)
- [Poss’ Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis possi)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes/poss-scorpionfish)
- [Raggy Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis venosa)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes/raggy-scorpionfish)
- [Red Sea Dwarf Lionfish (Neochirus hemprichi)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes/red-sea-dwarf-lionfish)
- [Steinitz’ Scorpionfish (Scorpaenodes steinitzi)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes/steinitz-scorpionfish)
- [Tasseled Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis oxycephala)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes/tasseled-scorpionfish)
- [Yellowspotted Scorpionfish (Sebastapistes cyanostigma)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes/yellowspotted-scorpionfish)

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scorpionfishes)*
*Updated: August 3, 2026*