Species: Scorpaenodes tredecimspinosus, Deepreef Scorpionfish

Scorpaenodes tredecimspinosus (Metzelaar, 1919)

Deepreef Scorpionfish

Body relatively deep, depth at dorsal fin origin 32-41% SL; head very bony, with numerous spines; no pit on top of head behind eyes; no small spines below main row of 2 (1-3) spines on bony ridge under eye; bone above front of mouth with 2 rounded lobes on lower edge and a small spine at rear side; teeth on center of roof of mouth but not on sides; no small slit behind last gill arch; dorsal fin XIII, 9 (last divided to base) rays; anal III+4-5; last dorsal and anal rays branched; pectoral 17 (16-17) rays, long & pointed, with longest rays in center, some branched, lowest rays unbranched; scales rough, head usually scaly; small spiny rays at top and bottom of base of tail fin; lateral line complete, 22-23 pored scales.

Red-brown to yellowish; a black blotch at end of spiny dorsal fin; remainder of fins with faint brown spots or transparent; rear of tail base white, followed by a red bar that extends onto base of tail fin.

Reaches 6.5 cm.

Lives on coral and rock bottoms.

Depth range: 7-82 m.

N Carolina to Brazil.