When people think of Scorpionfish, they usually think of a single species, and rightfully so. Only, they aren’t just a single fish, they’re an entire family of hundreds of species. This is one cool family, mind you. Amongst these fish, you’ll find some of the most venomous and unusual looking creatures on the planet. These are the toxic trio, and today, you’ll learn everything about them.
Meet the Family
First of all, let’s get all that family confusion out of the way. Scorpionfish, Lionfish, and Stonefish all belong to the same family of fish – Scorpaenidae. Doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, does it? So instead of saying “Scor-pae-ni-dae” every time, people went with Scorpionfish for the entire family.
The Scorpaenidae is a large family, counting several hundred distinct species. Most of them are very recognizable (if you can spot them) and highly venomous!
Where Scorpionfish, Lionfish, and Stonefish diverge is in the subfamilies (genera). True Scorpionfish belong to the Scorpaena subfamily. Lionfish come from the Pterois genus, and Stonefish count themselves among the Synanceja.
As you’d imagine, people just call these the Scorpionfish, Lionfish, and Stonefish subfamilies, and then add a descriptive common name for an individual species. That’s how you get names like “Flasher Scorpionfish” and “Red Lionfish.”
Alright, that’s enough names, let’s compare these fish!
Scorpionfish vs. Lionfish vs. Stonefish
Scorpionfish – Scorpaena
Fish from the Scorpaena subfamily are mostly sedentary prey-stalkers. These carnivores got their name from the many toxic spikes and spines across their bodies. The venom from these contains powerful neurotoxins that can be extremely painful, and even deadly. And yes, that goes for humans too.
Scorpions come in a wide variety of colors, sometimes to scare other fish away, and other times to blend into their environment. They are fantastic at camouflage, and sometimes even use biofluorescence (glowing with a different color) to blend into their environment! Scorpionfish like temperate and tropical waters, and you can mostly find them in the Indo-Pacific Ocean.
Common species include:
- Red Scorpionfish
- Flasher Scorpionfish
- Papuan Scorpionfish
Lionfish – Pterois
Similarly to Scorpaena, Lionfish boast a number of poisonous spikes. However, the spikes on these guys are often elaborately colored and spread out – think underwater peacock. Lionfish don’t use their colors for show and seduction, however, but rather to stun any fish (or human) that would endanger them.
Another thing that sets Lionfish apart is their insatiable appetite. Unlike Scorpaena, Lionfish don’t wait for their food to approach them, but rather move out and hunt on their own.
In recent years, these fish have decimated countless reefs in Florida and the Caribbean. Worse yet, they have almost zero natural predators. This is why they are now considered one of the most dangerous invasive species in the Atlantic.
The good news is, they taste good, so if you want to save the reefs, get yourself a Lionfish dinner.
Common species include:
- Red Lionfish
- Clearfin Lionfish
- Spotfin Lionfish
- Luna Lionfish
- Devil Lionfish
Stonefish – Synanceja
Stonefish might not have the visual appeal of Scorpionfish and Lionfish, but they make up for it with their sting. These guys are the most poisonous fish in the sea, and can even be fatal to humans. Like Scorpionfish, their feeding strategy is to sit and wait for their prey. Due to their appearance, you’d really have a tough time discerning them from a rock.
Stonefish spines are much more venomous than those of Lionfish and Scorpionfish. They are thicker and more prominent, too. Additionally, Stonefish boast a sharp specialized spike, a lachrymal saber, as an extra defensive weapon. You can find Stonefish in the coastal regions of the Indo-Pacific.
Common species include:
- Dwarf Stonefish
- Reef Stonefish
- Estuarine Stonefish
Now that you know everything about this big toxic trio, how’d you like to see a Flasher Scorpionfish go against a Lionfish?
What do you think about Scorpionfish? Which of these fish is your favorite? Have you ever encountered one before? Let us know in the comments below.
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