Overview
Camouflaged bottom predator, still and lethal, lives among rocks and crevices.
Identification
Large, spiny headRough skinVenomous dorsal finsWhite spotsBulging eyesWide mouthFringed gillsRed coloration
- Body
- Robust, laterally compressed body with a large spiny head.
- Colouration
- The body is a deep red color with dark spots and white patches for camouflage.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not obvious
- Growth
- Slow, being a solitary sedentary predator
Taxonomy
- Family
- Scorpaenidae
- Order
- Scorpaeniformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Scorpaena porcusScorpaena notataScorpaena cardinalisScorpaena maderensisScorpaena plumieri
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, reefs, deep_sea
- Preferred bottom
- rock, reef
- Geographic distribution
- Found in the Mediterranean Sea and Eastern Atlantic Ocean, extending to the coasts of West Africa.
- Micro-habitat
- Hides among rocks and corals, perfectly camouflaged while waiting for prey.
Adapts well to degraded seabeds thanks to its resilience and camouflage ability.
Presence by sea area
Tirreno NordPeak
Tirreno CentroPeak
Tirreno SudPeak
Adriatico NordPeak
Adriatico CentroPeak
Adriatico SudPeak
Ionio NordPeak
Ionio CentroPeak
Sardegna OvestPeak
Sardegna EstPeak
Sicilia TirrenoPeak
Sicilia Ionio CanalePeak
Eu Mediterraneo OvestPeak
Eu Mediterraneo EstPeak
Eu Golfo BiscagliaPeak
Eu Azzorre Madeira CanariePeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- small fish, croakers, shrimps
- Secondary prey
- mollusks, octopuses, squids
- Occasional prey
- annelids, jellyfish
- Feeding behaviour
- Ambush predator, remains still until prey comes close enough to capture with a quick strike.
- Natural predators
- moray eels, congers, large dentex
Besides hunting, it can scavenge both live and dead food thanks to its opportunistic nature.
Behaviour
- Activity
- nocturnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- non-migratory
- Seasonal behaviour
- More active in warm seasons due to the higher abundance of prey.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles are more vulnerable and tend to hide among small rocks.
- Adults
- Adults are territorial and solitary, rarely moving far from their refuge.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- May, June
- Spawning depth
- between 20 and 60 meters
- Eggs
- Small spherical pelagic eggs.
- Larval stage
- Larvae are pelagic and swim freely before settling on the seabed.
- Sexual maturity
- 3-4 years
When to catch Red scorpionfish
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Daymattino, pomeriggio
Nightnotte
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
More active and less wary.
Medium
Regular activity.
High
Stays motionless in crevices.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
13°COptimal zone: 17-26°C29°C
Preferred tide: high
Where to catch it
Best spots
rocky areassubmerged cliffssunken wreckscoral reefs
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
bottom fishinglight bottom fishinglonglininggillnetting
Other applicable
BolentinoPesca A FondoBolentino MedioBolentino ProfondoDeep DroppingKabura Tai RubberLight Rock FishingRock FishingSlow JiggingVertical Jigging
Recommended baits
sardinessquidsshrimpsfish strips
Baits by pressure
Low
Jig head + softbaitSlow pitch jigInchikuKabura / Tai rubberMetal jig medio (40-100g)Paddle tail softbait
Medium
Calamaro interoGambero morto / GamberoPezzo di pesceStriscia di calamaroTrancio di sardinaEsca viva profondaFiletto di pesce
High
ArenicolaEsca naturale (generica)Verme coreano
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Puts up quick resistance but tires quickly.
- Handling
- Be careful not to touch the venomous dorsal spines.
- Release
- Handle gently using a cloth to avoid spines and release quickly.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The IGFA all-tackle world record for the red scorpionfish is about 7.5 pounds caught off the Spanish coast. There are anecdotes of historic catches in Italy with specimens reaching 6.6 pounds, considered true trophies by sport fishermen. Literature indicates a maximum size around 20 inches in length for this species.
- In the kitchen
- Highly valued in stews and fish soups like cacciucco.
- Cultural notes
- Symbol of cunning and deception in various Mediterranean cultures.
- Historical notes
- Traditionally also caught with traps and pots in ports and shallow waters.
