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Leaf Scorpionfish
Taenianotus triacanthus Lacepède. 1802
Above and below: Leaf Scorpionfish at a depth of 12 m, Mana Island, Fiji, April 2002. View larger image.
A juvenile Leaf Scorpionfish at a depth of 8 m, Fly Point, Port Stephens, New South Wales, April 2002. View larger image.
The Leaf Scorpionfish has a very compressed body and a sail-like dorsal fin. It has a variably developed 'beard' of fine appendages around the mouth.
The colouration of the Leaf Scorpionfish is variable, ranging from white, through pinks and reds to green.
This species periodically sheds its skin.
It grows to 10 cm in length.
The Leaf Scorpionfish has a widespread distribution throughout the Indo-Pacific.
In Australia it is known from off north-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country, and south to northern New South Wales.
View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.
Related links
- View the Scorpionfish list
Further reading
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
