Scorpionfish

Scorpaenidae

Masters of disguise — they sit motionless on the reef, perfectly camouflaged among rocks and coral. Watch where you put your hands and check your landing spot before kneeling; their dorsal spines carry a painful venom.

Last updated April 2026

Red scorpionfishScorpaena scrofa8 photos

Least ConcernUp to 50 cm5–40mRocky reefSand

A master of camouflage — mottled red-brown body with fleshy flaps and skin tags that blend perfectly into rocky rubble. Broad head with an upturned mouth; the largest of the Mediterranean scorpionfishes.

Observed at

La Virgen(Costa del Maresme)El Jardín y La Red(Sant Feliu de Guíxols)Ferranelles(Illes Medes)Punta Cana(Costa del Maresme)Las Planetas(Sant Feliu de Guíxols)Roca Muladera(Tossa de Mar)

Black scorpionfishScorpaena porcus8 photos

Least ConcernUp to 30 cm1–50mRocky reefSeagrass

A common Mediterranean scorpionfish with a dark, mottled brown-to-black body and long tentacle-like flaps above each eye. An ambush predator of rocky reefs and seagrass meadows.

Observed at

La Calita(La Herradura)Piedra del Hombre(La Herradura)El negre(Costa del Maresme)Mar Menuda(Tossa de Mar)

Scorpionfish7 photos

Least ConcernUp to 50 cm5–40mRocky reefSand

Cryptic, venomous-spined ambush predators of rocky reefs and rubble, relying on superb camouflage to surprise passing prey.

Sits motionless on rocks waiting to ambush prey — venomous dorsal spines cause extremely painful stings. Never touch the bottom without looking.

Observed at

Ullastres I(Palamós)El Jardín y La Red(Sant Feliu de Guíxols)Túneles de Port Salvi(Sant Feliu de Guíxols)Mar Menuda(Tossa de Mar)Las Planetas(Sant Feliu de Guíxols)Ancora del Negre(Costa del Maresme)Punta Cana(Costa del Maresme)El Santuari(Costa del Maresme)La Trencada(Costa del Maresme)Barra de l'Arbre(Costa del Maresme)

Small red scorpionfishScorpaena notata5 photos

Least ConcernUp to 20 cm5–100mRocky reefSeagrass

A small reddish scorpionfish with a dark blotch on the rear of the spiny dorsal fin. Frequents rocky reefs and seagrass; one of the smallest Mediterranean scorpionfishes.

Observed at

Punta de la Mona(La Herradura)La Calzada(Costa del Maresme)La Virgen(Costa del Maresme)

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