Dark Spotted Scorpionfish

With dark spots, especially on rear of body and rear fins (Ref. 4313).Description: Characterized by yellowish or tan color with irregular brown bars and blotches and small brown to reddish spots; ctenoid scales; presence of palatine teeth; absence of occipital pit; no coronal spines; suborbital ridge double to below rear edge of eye, one continuing to preopercular margin; five spines in lacrimal, including 2-3 extending over upper jaw; absent or very small tentacle above eye; depth of body 2.8-2.9 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 5

Rare species. Inhabits deeper reefs. Solitary and cryptic, also found in seaward reefs, mainly at oceanic islands (Ref 90102).

分布於印度洋海域：南非，留尼旺島，聖誕島；西太平洋海域：小笠原群島與新加勒多尼亞。

除學術研究外，經濟價值不大。

體中長，側扁，橢圓形。頭大，略側扁。眼較大，上側位，眼球高達頭背緣；口中大，端位，斜裂，上頷骨延伸至眼眶後緣下方。上下頷、鋤骨及腭骨具細齒，鋤骨齒群左右相連呈人字狀。淚骨具5棘，其中有2-3棘延伸超過上頜。下鰓蓋棘被鱗片所覆蓋，無脊。無冠狀棘 (Coronal spine)。無枕骨凹陷。眼上具不明顯小皮突或消失。側線縱列鱗：50-54。背鰭具硬棘 XII，軟條 9；臀鰭具硬棘 III，軟條5；胸鰭下側位，軟條15-16；腹鰭胸位，具硬棘 I，軟條5；尾鰭圓形。體棕色或黃棕色，體側及各鰭部皆布滿黑色斑點。(李承運、林沛立2012/11編寫)

本種棲息於潟湖及珊瑚平台，沙地與珊瑚碎石粒混和地形。具偽裝能力，時常隱藏身體而不容易被發現，藉以守株待兔般快速捕捉過往之小魚與甲殼動物為食，夜行性。背鰭鰭棘下具毒腺，是海中危險生物。