Karan Deshpande
Vardhan Patankar
( Scorpaenopsis diabolus )
Spotted at depths to about 70 m in areas where there are a lot of rocks, seaweed and algae in and around reefs.
As most scorpionfish, the false scorpionfish is a master of disguise. They are coloured with a mix of grey, white and reddish brown spots which help them fit in with the background of rocks, stones and coral. This species also displays biofluorescence, which is the process by which some organisms absorb light and re-emit them later as a different colour under certain lighting (red in the case of this species). Reaching a maximum length of about 30 cm, they like the other scorpionfish have venomous spines on the fin on top of their head, so one must be wary when close to this species!
They feed by ambushing small invertebrates and fish.
Evan Nazareth
Evan Nazareth
Vardhan Patankar
( Ablabys taenianotus )
Found at depths between 2-18 meteres in sandy areas or areas with a lot of rubble. They have also been spotted in seagrass beds. You are most likely to spot them at night when the come out to feed.
Growing up to a length of about 15 cm, this fish can be found in a variety of colours ranging from cream to dark brown with spots, this is a form of camouflage to mimic a dead leaf or seaweed. They often also allow the water to move them such as to appear adrift like a leaf or seaweed as well! The fin the top of their body stretches from the above the head all the way to where it connects with the tail which resembles the head of a cockatoo bird, hence giving them their name. The spines or thorns on their fin above their head are venomous, so do be cautious.
They feed by attack by ambushing prey passing by them, they feed on shrimp and other crustaceans.
Vardhan Patankar
Jonathan Emmett
( Pterois volitans )
Inhabit near and offshore coral reefs at depths of about 50 m.
The red lionfish are covered with white stripes with alternating red, marooon and brown stripes. They can grow up to a maximum length of about 47 cm, deeming them as one of the larger lionfish species. Like the other fish in their family, they too have venomous spines in the fins located on the top of their body, side fins and as well as the fins located just after their tail. These long fins, give the fish a sort of 'mane' like that of a male lion and therefore curating its name. The venom contained in their spines are dangerous and are a way to detere predators. Due to thier frequent repoduction and absence of predators, the red lion fish have been declared as invasive species in many places around the world.
They feed on crustaceans, small fish and other invertebrates.
Joydeep Sarkar
Joydeep Sarkar
( Dendrochirus brachypterus )
They are spotted at depths as deep as 80 m in reef flats, lagoons and areas where there are algae, rocks and sand.
The dwarf lionfish can grow up to a maxiumum length of about 17 cm, they are a reddich-brown colour with darker colour bands or stripes.This species have a short tentacle over the eye and a leaf shaped extension on their head. They exhibit venomous spines like the other scorpionfish as well. During the day, they are usually hiding in crevices and amongst sponges. You are also most likely to spot them in pairs or in small groups.
They have been recorded to mainly feed on crustaceans.
Vardhan Patankar
( Pterois antennata )
Inhabit lagoons and seaward reefs at depths between 2 to 86 m.
They have a background colour of reddish-brown like most lionfish and are marked with many vertical thin bands or stripes. This species also have dark spots scattered over their fins. On their head, they have 3 dark bands, one of these bands go over the eye. They are usually hiding in crevices during the day and come out during the night to feed. Their spines are also venomous and can reach a maximum length of 20 cm.
They feed on crustaceans, small fish and other invertebrates.
( Scorpoaenopsis diabolus )
Spotted sharpnose puffer
They feed on crustaceans in the day and planktonic particles in the night.
Joydeep Sarkar
( Rhinopias frondosa )
They are found at depths between 13-90 m, in and around coral reefs especially in areas where there is rubble and algae.
The weedy scorpionfish is referred to as so because of its tentacles that cover most of its body, resembling that of seaweed. Growing up to a maximum length of about 23 cm, this species is highly variable in colour and it differs between individuals of the same species as well, each individual also defer in the way their circular dark margined spots are distributed over the body. These spots are the same colour as the background colour of the individual in the middle and is surrounded by a darker colour outline. Individuals have been spotted in red, grey and even purple in colour such as the example provided here.
They prey on small fish and invertebrates.
Phalguni Ranjan
Joydeep Sarkar
Karan Deshpande
( Scorpaenopsis oxycephala )
They inhabit reef slopes from about 1- 35m.
Growing up to a maximum length of about 36 cm, they have many tentacles which form sort of a beard around the mouth. Individuals vary in colour but commonly are reddish-brown with white patches and a dark triangle shaped area under the eye that goes back slightly over the cheek. Like most other scorpionfish, they have venomous spines in their fins which some swimmers ay step on in shallow waters causing painful wounds.
They prey by ambushing small fish and crustaceans, mostly feeding at night.
Jonathan Emmett
Vardhan Patankar
( Cymbacephalus beauforti )
This flathead is found in shallow water areas in the sand or coral rubble near seagrass or mangroves. They are mostly recorded in depths of about 2-3 m.
They can grow up to a maximum length of 50 cm. They have a flat body and an elongated head that resembles that of a crocodile and hence are commonly referred to as crocodilefish and where 'flathead' stems from. They are very good at camouflage, to the point where they have a special piece of flesh that covers their eyes to fit into their environment better. In terms of their colour , they have a pattern of beige, brown grey or even green spots that are seperated by blue lines.
They mainly feed on small fish and crustaceans which they attack by patiently waiting until they come close.
Joydeep Sarkar
Joydeep Sarkar
Joydeep Sarkar
( Taenianotus triacanthus )
Found in waters associated with coral reefs as deep as 130 m.
Due to their resemblence to a dead leaf decaying or floating away in water, the leaf scorpion fish is a master of camouflage. They can grow to about only 10 cm and colours can vary from green to pink, white and brown depending on their surrounding environment. The fish is also as flat as a leaf and have a dark line going through their eyes. These scorpionfish like most others also have spines that can cause a vicious sting. To further mimic a dead leaf moving with the ocean current, they also cater their movements to appear slow and steady.
They feed my slowly creating a suction effect with their mouth that pulls in small crustacean, fish and larvae.
Joydeep Sarkar
Joydeep Sarkar
Joydeep Sarkar
( Synanceia horrida )
Found in sheltered inshore waters of coral reefs, estuaries rubble near sandy beaches and seagrass beds. They are usually found submerged in sand and lie motionless between 1-40 m.
In the guinness world record books as the most venomous fish in the world, the estuarine stonefish is one to look out for. With excellent camouflage, making them indifferent from the surrounding rocks they are quite dull coloured ranging from grey to brown depending on their environement. They can grow up to about 60 cm, and often have algae growing on them to further contribute to their camouflage. They have the largest venom glanfs of any known fish and direct contact with the spines of the fish can prove fatal.
They feed on small fish and crustaceans that they come out at night and feed on.
Joydeep Sarkar
Joydeep Sarkar
Joydeep Sarkar
( Synanceia verrucosa )
Found in areas around coral reefs, often suspended in the sand or rubble. Found most often between 0-30 m.
The reef stonefish is usually coloured brown to grey and may have areas of yellow, orange and red. Their fins have spines that contain venom that is dangerous. These species can reach a maximum length of about 40 cm. Masters of camouflage, they have rocky looking unveven and rugged skin. These fish just like the estuarine stonefish are some of the most venomous fish in the world causing pain, shock andcan even prove fatal.
Their diet consists of small fish, shrimp and other crustaceans.
Joydeep Sarkar
( Dendrochirus zebra )
They are found in the inshore waters around areas where there are corals, rocks and rubble at depths of about 80m.
The zebra lionfish has vertical orange, white and black stripes on its body. The fins located on their sides are large and shaped like a fan. Growing up to a maximum recorded length of about 25 cm, they have venomous spines that they use to deter predators away. They are usuallly found hiding under rocks or coral in groups of two to three who they hunt together with. An intersting feature when they hunt in a group is luring prey into a small area and surroudding them and taking turns blowing jets of water at their prey.
They feed on small crustaceans and small fish.