Scorpaenopsis papuensis

Scorpaenopsis papuensis (Papuan scorpionfish) is a scorpionfish from the Pacific in coral reefs. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. It grows to 25 cm (9.8 in) in length.[2] It is difficult to see due to its camouflaged colors.[3]

Scorpaenopsis papuensis
Papuan scorpionfish at Bunaken, North Sulawesi

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Scorpaeniformes
Family:
Scorpaenidae
Genus:
Scorpaenopsis
Species:
S. papuensis
Binomial name
Scorpaenopsis papuensis
(G. Cuvier, 1829)
Biofluorescence of Scorpaenopsis papuensis at night at the Solomon Islands. The fish (circled) is blending with a red-fluorescing algae

The Papuan scorpionfish exhibits biofluorescence, that is, when illuminated by blue or ultraviolet light, it re-emits it as red, and appears differently than under white light illumination. Biofluorescence may assist in intraspecific communication and camouflage.[4]

References
  1. Motomura, H. & Matsuura, K. 2016. Scorpaenopsis papuensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T69919036A70009990. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T69919036A70009990.en. Downloaded on 20 July 2020.
  2. Myers, R.F. (1999). Micronesian reef fishes. A comprehensive guide to the coral reef fishes of Micronesia. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam.
  3. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2008). "Scorpaenopsis papuensis" in FishBase. December 2008 version.
  4. Sparks, John S.; Schelly, Robert C.; Smith, W. Leo; Davis, Matthew P.; Tchernov, Dan; Pieribone, Vincent A.; Gruber, David F. (2014). "The Covert World of Fish Biofluorescence: A Phylogenetically Widespread and Phenotypically Variable Phenomenon". PLoS ONE. 9 (1): e83259. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0083259. PMC 3885428. PMID 24421880.


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