Scorpaena cocosensis Motomura 2004

This species is distinguished by the following characters: D 8; pectoral-fin rays 22; well-exposed scales covers the anteroventral body surface; well-developed interorbital ridges, beginning just behind the nasal spines and diverging anteriorly and posteriorly in dorsal view; lateral margins of frontals diverging posteriorly in the dorsal view; occipital pit shallow with a distinct transverse ridge in front of pit; posterior lacrimal spine is directed ventroanteriorly; suborbital ridge with a small spine; no supplemental preopercular spine; the second preopercular spine reduced; upper posttemporal spine is directed upward; posterior margin of maxilla just reaching level with posterior margin of pupil; posterior tip of pectoral fin reaching level with origin of third dorsal-fin soft ray; head length large (48.8% SL); large orbit diameter (16.9% SL); interorbital space wide between supraocular spine bases (9.2% SL) (Ref. 53275).

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 5; Vertebrae: 24