The strange fish known as a scorpin fish is one of the world's most poisonous fish.
This very large and diverse group of fishes, all of which show a number of common characteristics and from the Scorpaeniformes order contains some species of the world's most poisonous fish. In most cases scorpion fish are small to medium in size with a perch like appearance. The English common name for these fish, mail cheeked fish, best exemplifies one of the main characteristics of the scorpion fish which is the bony element under the eyes. This consist of one ridge which is above the eye with a second ridge beneath the eye on the bony plate, each varying in length. The head is large with a wide mouth opening and partially or in some species fully covered with a bony armor while the body is either partially or fully covered by cteniod or cycloid scales. These fish are found in oceans throughout the world and some species even live in fresh water. In some species the bony armor covering may have spines, but all species have several spines on the rear edge of the front gill cover.
The dorsal fins on the scorpion fish are usually united but are different in seven families. They have a pectoral fin that is often very broad at the base with one or more rays free from the fin skin and a pelvic fin that is the same height on the body as the pectoral fin that consist of one spine with five soft rays. The scorpion fish belong to the advanced spiny rayed fishes with the distinguishing feature being the lack of a proper swim bladder. In some cases the swim bladder is missing altogether but when present it is poorly developed and used more for producing sounds. Scorpion fish generally live near the coast line but some species can be found in deep waters. Most of the species are known to have amazing colorations and striking camouflage patterns. Species that have poison glands located at the base of their fins are known to only use their poison for defense. In any case these species of scorpion fish should be handled with care sine they produce a neurotoxin which effects the nervous system, as well as, having a hemotoxic effect which acts on the blood.
Most scorpion fish are very quite moving with a slow undulating motion. They have a high commercial value since they are edible, producing a tender and tasty meat. The suborder Scorpaenoidei, which contains the families of scorpion fish, sea robins, caracanthids, aploactinids, stone fish and pataecids all have poison glands at the base of the dorsal fin. They are one of the most striking in color and patterns producing various reddish tones. Scorpion fish in this suborder are extremely dangerous due to their habit of sitting still in one place and their excellent camouflage. Once accidentally stepped on, the sting is extremely painful and has a lasting affect. Scorpaena scrofa scorpion fish that live from the Mediterranean to the eastern Atlantic are known for their coloration even though it does not appear as exciting in their natural habitat. Scorpion fish are very territorial and the only species known to wait along cliffs for prey of the appropriate size to come near. Once the prey is close the scorpion fish will leap on the prey using one or more jumps or create a great suction by opening and closing its mouth to pull in its victim. These fish feed on very large prey including mussels, other fishes and crustaceans. After mating the female scorpion fish will lay jelly like spawn balls that contain eggs on the outer surface.
