Year Described
Evermann & Marsh, 1900
Identification
Dorsal Fin: XII, 8.5-9.5
Anal Fin: III, 5
Pectoral Fin: 16-18
Pelvic Fin: I, 5
Vertebrae: 24
Scale rows above lateral line: 40-45
Body deep (deepest at gill opening) with a huge head. Eye diameter 0.7-1.3 times in snout length. Dorsal profile convex. Ventral profile flattened. Eye and mouth large. Head with multiple strong ridges and short spines. A strong cheek ridge is present (with 3-4 spines). Preopercle with a few strong spines. Lacrimal bone with two downward-pointing spines and one small lateral one. Body covered in ctenoid scales. Spiny dorsal fin with middle spines the longest. Soft dorsal fin is rounded. Pectoral fin fanlike, with the middle rays being the longest. Upper 3-9 pectoral rays branched at tip (otherwise unbranched). Caudal fin truncate.
Color
Body dark red above, grading to white on the belly. Black blotches and white mottling on the body. Dorsal fin red with darker and lighter spots. Pectoral, anal, pelvic, and caudal fin blood red with no markings.
Size
Maximum size to 15.5cm SL.
Habitat
Hard bottoms and deep reefs from 90-375m.
Range
Scattered records in the Caribbean Sea from the Bahamas to Venezuela.
References
Poss, S.G. 2002. Scorpaenidae. In: FAO Species Identification Guide to Fishes of the Western Atlantic. (ed. Carpenter K), pp. 1232-1265. UN FAO Publishers, Rome.