User:Geichhorn2000/sandbox

Pacific spotted scorpionfish (Scorpaena mystes). Found in shallow water and seaweed-covered reefs as well as on open, sandy areas. An opportunistic predator, this cryptic fish lies unseen on the reef top waiting for small fishes to pass by. Although the flesh is of excellent quality, it is not utilized commercially due to its venomous spines.

Description
From: Head very bony, with numerous spines, as deep as broad; a deep pit present behind eyes; a smaller pit below and in front of eye; longitudinal ridge under eye with 3-4 spines; top preopercular spine the longest; roof of mouth with teeth on sides; no slit behind last gill arch; numerous skin flaps on head and body ; dorsal rays XII, 9-10; anal rays III, 5-6; pectoral rays 18-21, the lower rays unbranched and thickened; scales relatively large, smooth on body; lateral line complete; with tubes on scales; 24-25 lateral line scales, 42-48 vertical rows.

Color highly variable, usually a drab mottled mixture of grey, brown, red, green, and black; tail with dark bars; axil of pectoral fin usually dark with white spots, frequently arranged in rows; juveniles with pronounced dark bar on rear body at level of soft dorsal fin. Specimens from the Revillagigedos and Galapagos have more uniformly colored pectoral axils and may represent a separate subspecies.

Size: to 46 cm.

Inhabits weed-covered reefs and open sand- rubble areas.

Depth: 1-85 m.

Distribution
Eastern Pacific: California, USA (Ref. 28023) to northern Chile, including the Galapagos Islands.