Scientific Name
Iracundus signifer

Common Name
Decoy scorpionfish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5. Anterior part of dorsal fin resembles a small fish, the fin also has a spot between spines 1-2 or 1-3 (Ref. 4313). Lachrymal bone with 2 spines over maxillary, first points forward, second broad, pointing out and to rear; suborbital ridge without spines except one at rear before opercle; preopercular spines short, usually only 3 developed; no supplemental preopercular spine at base of first spine; a dark spot on the spinous dorsal fin between spines 1 or 2 and 3; and vertical scale rows of about 65-75 (Ref. 10482).

Classification

Classified By

Jordan & Evermann, 1903

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Scorpionfishes and Flatheads (Scorpaeniformes)

Family

Scorpionfishes or rockfishes (Scorpaenidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Indian Ocean

Distribution

Western Indian Ocean: South Africa, Mauritius, Reunion. Pacific Ocean: Ryukyu Islands (Ref. 559), Taiwan, and from the Society, Cook, Marquesan, Tuamoto, Pitcairn and Hawaiian islands.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

10 m

Depth To - meters

70 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 10 - 70 m (Ref. 4313)

Trophic Level

3.63 s.e. 0.58 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

13.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Unknown

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (32 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Venomous (Ref. 57406)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated