Animal Species:Ocellate Scorpionfish, Parascorpaena mcadamsi (Fowler, 1938)

The Ocellate Scorpionfish is a small mottled species of scorpionfish that lives on offshore tropical reefs.

Ocellate Scorpionfish, Parascorpaena mcadamsi

Ocellate Scorpionfish, Parascorpaena mcadamsi
John E. Randall © John E. Randall

Alternative Name/s

Ocellated Scorpionfish

Identification

The Ocellate Scorpionfish has quadrangular, naked depression behind the eyes.  The colouration is variable but males have a dark spot on the dorsal fin between spines 8 and 10.

Size range

7.5 cm

Distribution

It occurs on offshore reefs of northern Australia and throughout the tropical Indo-west Pacific.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

parascorpaena mcadamsi

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Ocellate Scorpionfish specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Classification

Species:
mcadamsi
Genus:
Parascorpaena
Family:
Scorpaenidae
Order:
Scorpaeniformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Ocellate Scorpionfish, Parascorpaena mcadamsi, Scorpaenidae, dots/spots, offshore reef, marine,