Animal Species:Pacific Monkeyfish, Erosa erosa (Langsdorf, 1829)

The Pacific Monkeyfish is a stocky fish with a large head and a distinct bump on the nape. It occurs in tropical inshore and coral reef waters of the Western Pacific.

Alternative Name/s

Daruma Stinger, Monkey-fish, Pitted Scorpionfish

Identification

The Pacific Monkeyfish is a stocky fish with a large head and a distinct bump on the nape. It has white spots distally on the pectoral fins and narrow dark bars on the tail.

Size range

The species grows to about 14 cm in standard length.

Distribution

In Australia it is known from off north-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south on the east coast to northern New South Wales.

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

Erosa erosa

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Pacific Monkeyfish specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The Pacific Monkeyfish is a benthic species that occurs in tropical inshore and coral reef waters of the Western Pacific.

Classification

Species:
erosa
Genus:
Erosa
Family:
Synanceiidae
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. Poss, S.G. Scorpaenidae. in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem. 1999. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 4. Bony fishes part 2 (Mugilidae to Carangidae). FAO. Rome Pp. iii-v, 2069-2790.
  3. 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, Pacific Monkeyfish, Erosa erosa, Synanceiidae, Daruma Stinger, Monkey-fish, Pitted Scorpionfish, stocky fish, large head, tropical water, inshore water, coral reef, dots/spots, white spots, 10 cm - 30 cm, benthc, marine,