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Deepwater scorpionfish (Setarches longimanus) — Setarchidae

Deepwater scorpionfish

Setarches longimanus
Family: Setarchidae

The Deepwater scorpionfish (Setarches longimanus) is a fish of the family Setarchidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The deepwater scorpionfish is a scorpionfish relative (Setarchidae) of the continental slope in tropical and subtropical oceans. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a red-pink, flabby body with large eyes, loose skin and long pectoral fins. The dorsal spines are linked to venom glands and a sting is painful. As a bottom-dweller it lives on soft bottoms of the deep slope and hunts small crustaceans and small fish. Handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deepwater scorpionfish?

The Deepwater scorpionfish is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Deepwater scorpionfish live?

The Deepwater scorpionfish is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Deepwater scorpionfish get?

The Deepwater scorpionfish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm. On average the species is around 11 cm.

Is the Deepwater scorpionfish dangerous to humans?

The Deepwater scorpionfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

Is the Deepwater scorpionfish edible?

The Deepwater scorpionfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langvin-diepwaterschorpioenvis sourced
English name
Deepwater scorpionfish sourced
Scientific name
Setarches longimanus
Family
Setarchidae
Other names
Longfin waspfish sourced

Appearance

Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Average length (cm)
10.8 sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Setarches

More from the family Setarchidae

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