Sebastapistes cyanostigma (Bleeker, 1856)
Yellowspotted scorpionfish
Sebastapistes cyanostigma
photo by Adams, M.J.

Family:  Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae
Max. size:  10 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 30 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Port Alfred, South Africa and east to the Line Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Samoa and Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-6. Yellow and white spots on body; no dark bars on underside of head (Ref. 4313). Description: Characterized by pink to reddish body color with yellow blotches and yellowish fins; ctenoid scales; presence of palatine teeth; double suborbital ridge with blunt spine at end; absence of coronal spines; lacrimal with five spines, three extending ventrally over upper lip; lower opercular spine not preceded by ridge; depth of body 2.7-2.8 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found in reef crests with rich coral growth (Ref. 48635). Typically found among the branches of Pocillopora corals in surge areas of seaward reefs (Ref. 1602). Also observed between the branches of the fire coral Millepora and Styllophora (Eran Brokovich, pers. comm. 03/02). Solitary or in small groups (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  venomous


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.