False Stonefish

A black spot nearly as large as eye on inner surface of pectoral fins near base of first 5 rays; no black mark inside mouth at front of upper jaw. Ascending process of premaxilla narrow, its maximum width 1.8-2.2 in orbit diameter; a series of papillae or nodules (sometimes on a low ridge) across interorbital space between supraocular spines; nasal spine single (Ref 42181).

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 5

Sluggish carnivore which lurks beneath coral heads and ledges on both interisland reef shallows and the seaward reef. It lies motionless while waiting for fish and invertebrates to venture close enough to capture (Ref. 275).

Usually found immobile at the bottom camouflaged among rocks and coral. Hunts by ambushing prey (Ref. 5503). Unlike most scorpaenids, the sting from the dorsal spines of this species can be painful but does not pose any real danger to the victim (Ref. 5503). Sold fresh in small quantities in markets.

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: high; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family