This marine species, associated with coral reefs, is typically found at depths ranging from 8 to 54 meters. It reaches a maximum length of 5.6 centimeters.
The organism is characterized by short, hairlike filaments covering its body and displays approximately 30 vertical scale rows. Notably, it usually possesses four spines on the suborbital ridge, with the first located on the lateral face of the lachrymal bone. An additional spine is commonly found below the suborbital ridge, positioned level with the second and third spines. Interorbital spines are present, while small spines between the tympanic spines along the midline are absent.
This species inhabits both lagoon and seaward reefs down to depths of at least 40 meters, residing on the benthic zone of coral reefs. It is equipped with venomous spines.
Geographically, its distribution spans the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the 🌊 Red Sea and East Africa to the Marquesan and Pitcairn Islands, extending northward to the Ryukyu and Hawaiian Islands and southward to 🇦🇺 Australia.
Why it's threatened
The Hairy Scorpionfish may be undergoing localized declines due to habitat degradation. However, given the broad distribution of this species, this is not considered to be a major threat at present.
Threat classification from the IUCN Red List.
