Scorpaena scrofa Linnaeus (1758)

EN - Red scorpionfish / Large-scaled scorpionfish
PT - Rascasso-Vermelho
FR - Rascasse rouge / Chapon
ES - Cabracho / Calbracho

︎︎︎    60 cm
︎   20 - 1000 m
︎︎︎    25 years
︎  Solitary and Sedentary
︎  Sand, Rock and Silt
︎  Crustaceans, Fishes and Molluscs
︎  Longline, Gillnet and Trawl

Least Concern (LC) means it has been evaluated against the Red List criteria and does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened.

• The Red Scorpionfish belongs to the family scorpaenidae which includes the most poisonous fish species in the world. The name scorpaena was given by the Romans because the sting of this type of fish resembled the bites of scorpions.

• The dorsal fin spines have glands that produce and store venom.

• It is a thermolabile poison so it can be deactivated by heat.

• On the Portuguese coast there are 5 species of Scorpionfish of varying coloration that use mimicry and camouflage to capture their prey.

• Disguised as a rock, it surprises its prey by sucking them in with its mouth at once.