Dr. John Ernest (Jack) Randall (†), Hawaii
Info
Sebastapistes ballieui is olive green or beige with red and white spots, a distinctive branched skin fold above each eye, and an indistinct dark spot on the spiny dorsal fin.
The scorpionfish has gray fins and a large black spot between the last three spines of the dorsal fin.
The edge of the eye socket has two spines, and there are strong spines at the end of the snout.
The shape and color of this small reef predator provide perfect camouflage as it waits for careless small fish to become its prey.
Similar species:
Sebastapistes militaris, but differs from it in the shortness of the pectoral fins, the arrangement of the spines on the head, and the length of the eye lobe.
The fin formula and different coloration distinguish Sebastapistes ballieui from Sebastapistes asperella, Benn., which occurs in the same waters.
Regarding the different length specifications.
FishBase gives 11.7 cm TL for Sebastapistes ballieui, Keoki Stender, Hawaii 12.7 cm.
Synonyms:
Scorpaena ballieui Sauvage, 1875 · unaccepted
Sebastapistes corallicola Jenkins, 1903 · unaccepted
The scorpionfish has gray fins and a large black spot between the last three spines of the dorsal fin.
The edge of the eye socket has two spines, and there are strong spines at the end of the snout.
The shape and color of this small reef predator provide perfect camouflage as it waits for careless small fish to become its prey.
Similar species:
Sebastapistes militaris, but differs from it in the shortness of the pectoral fins, the arrangement of the spines on the head, and the length of the eye lobe.
The fin formula and different coloration distinguish Sebastapistes ballieui from Sebastapistes asperella, Benn., which occurs in the same waters.
Regarding the different length specifications.
FishBase gives 11.7 cm TL for Sebastapistes ballieui, Keoki Stender, Hawaii 12.7 cm.
Synonyms:
Scorpaena ballieui Sauvage, 1875 · unaccepted
Sebastapistes corallicola Jenkins, 1903 · unaccepted
