Description
Papuan Scorpionfish Scorpaenopsis papuensis occurs in the tropical Pacific Ocean from Indonesia and the Philippines to the Society Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef and Fiji in a depth range from 1-40m, max. length 25cm, common 20cm. Scorpion fishes rarely swim, but rather move along the bottom propelling themselves with their fins. As ambush hunters, they use the camouflage as a hunting skill to prey on unsuspecting fish and invertebrates. The outline of this specimen disappears almost completey. Banda Island, Indonesia, 4°30'21.23 S 129°52'33.82 E at 15m depth
