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

Species

Lionfish

Pterois volitans(12 photos)

Least ConcernUp to 45 cm1–50mCoral reefRocky reefWreck

Flamboyant and unmistakable — long, feathery pectoral fins with alternating red-white stripes and venomous dorsal spines. An invasive species now spreading through the Med.

Drifts slowly near overhangs and wrecks, fanning its fins to corral prey — beautiful but venomous. Avoid brushing against those elegant spines.

Observed at

S.S. Thistlegorm(Sharm El Sheikh)

Red scorpionfish

Scorpaena scrofa(7 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

El Jardín y La Red(Sant Feliu de Guíxols)Ferranelles(Illes Medes)

Scorpionfish

(7 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

La Calzada(Costa del Maresme)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)

S.S. Thistlegorm(Sharm El Sheikh)

Black scorpionfish

Scorpaena porcus(7 photos)

Least ConcernUp to 30 cm1–50mRocky reefcommon.habitat_seagrass

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(Barcelona)Mar Menuda(Tossa de Mar)

Small red scorpionfish

Scorpaena notata(4 photos)

Least ConcernUp to 20 cm5–100mRocky reefcommon.habitat_seagrass

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)

Stonefish

Synanceia verrucosa(3 photos)

Least ConcernUp to 40 cm1–30mCoral reefSandRocky reef

The world's most venomous fish — warty, lumpy body that looks exactly like encrusted rock. Nearly impossible to spot even when you know it's there.

Sits perfectly still on rubble or coral, relying entirely on camouflage. Potentially lethal venom in dorsal spines — never touch unidentified lumpy rocks.

Observed at

Jackson reef(Sharm El Sheikh)

Madeira scorpionfish

Scorpaena maderensis(2 photos)

Least ConcernUp to 18 cm2–40mRocky reef

A small, reddish-brown scorpionfish with darker mottling, common on Macaronesian and Mediterranean rocky reefs. Smaller and more slender than the red scorpionfish.

Rests motionless on rocks and algae-covered surfaces — well camouflaged but less dangerous than larger scorpionfish species.

Observed at

Punta Restinga(El Hierro)

Tasseled scorpionfish

Scorpaenopsis oxycephala(1 photos)

Least ConcernUp to 36 cm3–35mCoral reefRocky reef

A large, ornate scorpionfish with fleshy tassels and skin flaps above the eyes and along the jaw. Mottled brown, red and white camouflage pattern.

Masters of ambush — sits motionless on coral rubble, nearly invisible. Venomous spines, so keep a safe distance and admire the camouflage artistry.

Observed at

S.S. Thistlegorm(Sharm El Sheikh)

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