Species: Scorpaena elachys, Dwarf Scorpionfish

Scorpaena elachys Eschmeyer, 1965

Dwarf Scorpionfish

Body deep (depth 38-41% of SL); head very bony, with numerous spines; adults with a shallow pit on top of head behind eyes; snout very short (<eye); eye moderate; 1st (top most) preopercular spine the largest, short, with a small accessory spine; bone over front of mouth with 2 spines pointing down and another at rear on its side; bone ridge under eye smooth, except for a spine at the rear end; roof of mouth with teeth on sides but not at center; no slit behind last gill arch; dorsal fin XII, 9.5 (8.5-9.5); anal III,5, 2nd spine </= 3rd; pectoral 16-17, with some upper rays branched in adult, fin reaching first anal spine; lateral line complete.

Red; a network of dark and pale lines under dorsal fin; dusky under and between eyes; inside gill chamber black, visible from outside; pectoral with yellow on inner face, dusky on side; front ½ of anal fin red, middle speckled, dark red behind.

Reaches 6.4 cm.

Found on rocky and shell bottoms.

Depth range: 37-100 m.

The Gulf of Mexico to Venezuela.