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Grass scorpionfish (Scorpaena grandicornis) — Scorpaenidae

Grass scorpionfish

Scorpaena grandicornis
Family: Scorpaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Grass scorpionfish (Scorpaena grandicornis) is a saltwater fish of the family Scorpaenidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1–15 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous
Range
Western Atlantic; seagrass beds, grassy bays and channels.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The plumed scorpionfish is a scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species has a stocky body with a large, spiny head and conspicuous, plumed skin flaps above the eyes, to which the name refers; its brown marbling provides excellent camouflage. It inhabits seagrass beds, grassy bays and channels, where it lies motionless on the bottom and moves only when disturbed. The dorsal, pelvic and anal fin spines are venomous; the wounds are extremely painful, but not fatal. Immerse a puncture wound in hot water and seek medical help if symptoms persist.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Grass scorpionfish?

The Grass scorpionfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Plumed skin flaps above the eyes and camouflaging marbling; venomous fin spines.

Where does the Grass scorpionfish live?

The Grass scorpionfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic; seagrass beds, grassy bays and channels.

How big does the Grass scorpionfish get?

The Grass scorpionfish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Grass scorpionfish dangerous to humans?

The Grass scorpionfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. The fin spines are venomous and give a painful, burning puncture wound. Immerse the wound for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C) and seek medical care if pain or infection persists.

Is the Grass scorpionfish edible?

The Grass scorpionfish is rarely eaten.

More photos

Grass scorpionfish (Scorpaena grandicornis) — Scorpaenidae — 2
Gregory J. Watkins-Colwell (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — YPM
Grass scorpionfish (Scorpaena grandicornis) — Scorpaenidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Williams, J. T.; Carpenter, K. E.; Van Tassell, J. L.; Hoetjes, P.; Toller, W.; Etnoyer, P.; Smith, M. (CC BY 2.5)
Grass scorpionfish (Scorpaena grandicornis) — Scorpaenidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Thomas Menut, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Grass scorpionfish (Scorpaena grandicornis) — Scorpaenidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) gerb1234, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Grass scorpionfish verified
Scientific name
Scorpaena grandicornis
Family
Scorpaenidae
Other names
Grass sorpionfish; Lion fish; Plumed scorpionfish; Scorpionfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Spots
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Superior (upward)
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1 verified
Max depth (m)
15 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic; seagrass beds, grassy bays and channels.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Plumed skin flaps above the eyes and camouflaging marbling; venomous fin spines. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous sourced
First aid
The fin spines are venomous and give a painful, burning puncture wound. Immerse the wound for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C) and seek medical care if pain or infection persists. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Scorpaena

More from the family Scorpaenidae

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