Red scorpionfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red scorpionfish |
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The red scorpionfish (Scorpaena scrofa) is a cool and interesting fish. It is also known as the bigscale scorpionfish or rascasse. This fish is a type of ray-finned fish and belongs to the Scorpaenidae family, which are known as scorpionfishes. It has venomous spines, so it's important to be careful around it! You can find this fish living in the Mediterranean Sea, the eastern Atlantic Ocean, and the western Indian Ocean.
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Meet the Red Scorpionfish
What Does It Look Like?
The red scorpionfish is the biggest scorpionfish found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. It can grow up to 50 centimeters (about 20 inches) long, but it's usually around 30 centimeters (12 inches). It can weigh up to 3 kilograms (about 6.6 pounds).
Its body color can be anything from a deep brick red to a light pink. It often has darker spots or blotches on its body. Look closely, and you might see a dark spot on its back fin, usually between the 6th and 11th spines. It also has long, tentacle-like growths above its eyes.
Its Venomous Spines
This fish has 12 spines on its back fin, 3 spines on its anal fin, and other soft rays. These spines are venomous, meaning they can deliver a sting if touched. This is how the fish protects itself from predators.
Where Does It Live?
The red scorpionfish makes its home in the Mediterranean Sea. It also lives in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from the British Isles all the way south to Senegal, including the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. You can also find it off the coast of South Africa in the western Indian Ocean.
Its Home in the Ocean
This fish likes to live on the ocean floor. It prefers areas with rocks, sand, or mud. You can find it in waters from 20 meters (about 65 feet) deep down to 500 meters (about 1,640 feet) deep. During the day, it hides in burrows and caves. When night comes, it comes out to hunt for food.
How the Red Scorpionfish Lives
What Does It Eat?
The red scorpionfish is a hunter! It's a solitary fish, meaning it likes to be alone. It doesn't move around much or migrate. It eats other fish, as well as crustaceans like crabs, and molluscs like snails or clams.
How It Got Its Name
The red scorpionfish was first officially described in 1758 by a famous scientist named Carl Linnaeus. The scientific name scrofa comes from a Latin word meaning "a breeding sow." This name might have come from old Italian names for this fish and a similar one, which were like "hogfish." Some people think this name came from an old belief that these fish lived and ate in mud.
Red Scorpionfish as Food
This fish is quite popular in cooking! It's a traditional ingredient in a famous French soup called bouillabaisse, which comes from Marseille. It's also used in a Tuscan dish from Italy called cacciucco. People in Japan also use red scorpionfish in their cuisine.
