Scorpaena cardinalis – Eastern Red Scorpionfish
Scorpaena cardinalis was first described by Swedish naturalist Daniel Solander and Scottish naval surgeon and naturalist Sir John Richardson in the year 1842. Scorpaena cardinalis belongs to the family Scorpaenidae, also known as the scorpion fish.
The genus name Scorpaena is derived from the ancient Greek word”skórpaina,” meaning”scorpion” . This refers to the spines on the dorsal fin of the fish, which can cause a painful wound, similar to the sting of a scorpion. The species name cardinalis means “red” and describes the bright red-orange body color of the fish with red spots.
Synonyms:
- Ruboralga cardinalis
- Scorpaena plebeia
- Scorpaena cookii
- Ruboralga cookii
Description
Scorpaena cardinalis has a laterally flattened body that is more compressed toward the back. The head has numerous tentacles and spines, which contributes to its camouflage in the natural environment. The color of the fish ranges from pinkish-red to reddish-orange with brown spots, and the colors get darker toward the back. The fins are often in the same coloration as the body, with the dorsal fin having 12 venomous spines and 9 soft rays. The fish can reach a maximum length of 47 centimeters.
Differences between Males and Females:
No specific physical differences between males and females of Scorpaena cardinalis have been documented in the available literature. Nor are there any known behavioral differences between the sexes.
Differences between Juveniles and Adults:
There are no detailed descriptions of differences between juveniles and adults of this species in the available sources. In general, juveniles retain the same camouflage patterns as adults, which is essential for their survival.
Behavior and Temperament:
The Scorpaena cardinalis is a well-camouflaged predator known as an ambush hunter. They are active mainly at night and feed on small fish, crabs, shrimp and octopus. These fish are solitary and usually live on the bottom, where they hide among rocks and coral. They are not aggressive toward other fish, but their poisonous spines make them dangerous to potential predators and humans.
Life expectancy:
The life expectancy of the Scorpaena cardinalis in the wild is not specifically documented, but they can live up to 33 years in captivity if kept in proper conditions.
Poisonous spines
The Eastern Red Scorpionfish, is equipped with venomous spines that play an important role in its defense against predators. These spines are mainly located on the dorsal fin, which contains 12 poisonous spines. The toxicity of these spines makes the fish dangerous to both other animals and humans. The venom can cause severe pain and swelling if it comes in contact with the skin.
The poisonous spines are an effective deterrent to potential predators, making the Scorpaena cardinalis less likely to be attacked. This is especially important because the fish is an ambush hunter that often lies still on the bottom waiting for prey.
The mechanism of venom injection works as follows: when the spine pricks the skin, the venom glands are compressed, forcing the venom out through a channel in the spine and into the wound. These venom glands are located at the base of the spine. This can cause intense pain, swelling and, in some cases, systemic symptoms such as nausea and dizziness.
It is crucial for aquarium keepers to be aware of the toxicity of these spines and to take precautions when handling the fish. Make sure you are prepared for a possible emergency and that you can contact an antivenom center.
Biotope
The Eastern Red Scorpionfish, is found in nature in the temperate waters of the southwestern Pacific, particularly around northern New Zealand, the Kermadec Islands, and the offshore islands of the Tasman Sea, such as Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island.
This fish species lives mainly among coral reefs and rocky areas, where they can camouflage themselves well. Their natural habitat consists of an abundance of rocks and coral, which helps them hide from predators and sneak up on their prey. The bottom of their habitat usually consists of rocky substrate, which contributes to their ability to camouflage themselves.
The Scorpaena cardinalis is an ambush hunter and feeds mainly on small fish and crustaceans. Because of their poisonous spines, they have few natural predators, although larger predators could potentially threaten them. However, their camouflage and venomous fins provide an effective defense against many potential threats.
Diet
Diet in the Wild:
Scorpaena cardinalis is an ambush hunter that is mainly active at night. In the wild, this fish feeds on small fish, crabs, shrimp and octopus. The fish uses its well-camouflaged appearance to stalk its prey and then swallow it in one go.
Diet in the Aquarium:
In an aquarium environment, it is important to provide the Scorpaena cardinalis with a diet similar to what they would eat in the wild . This can consist of small fish, shrimp and other crustaceans. It is recommended to use live or frozen food to stimulate the natural hunting instincts of the fish .
What Not to Feed:
It is not recommended to feed Scorpaena cardinalis dry food or low-quality food, as this does not meet their nutritional needs and can lead to health problems. Also avoid feeding food that is too large to swallow in one sitting, as this can lead to choking or digestive problems.
Reefsafe?
Scorpaena cardinalis is not reefsafe. They do not eat coral or polyps, but they can eat small invertebrates such as shrimp, which are often kept in reef aquariums. Therefore, it is important to be careful when introducing these fish into a reef environment, as they may pose a threat to the smaller inhabitants of the reef.
The Aquarium
To keep Scorpaena cardinalis, an aquarium of at least 2000 liters is recommended. If you want to keep several specimens, the aquarium must be considerably larger to provide enough space and territory for each fish, since they are solitary and territorial.
Aquarium setup:
The aqu arium should be set up with plenty of rocks and hiding places, since the Scorpaena cardinalis is a bottom dweller that likes to hide. Coral can also be added, but it is important to note that this fish is not reefsafe, as they can eat small invertebrates such as shrimp. The best substrate is fine sand, as this mimics the fish’ s natural environment and helps camouflage.
Water parameters:
The ideal water conditions for the Scorpaena cardinalis are a temperature between 20°C and 28°C, with a stable pH around 8.1 to 8.4. It is important to keep the water quality high with good filtration and regular water changes.
Compatibility with Other Species:
The Scorpaena cardinalis can live well with other large, non-aggressive fish that are not seen as prey. Suitable species include larger emperor fish, trigger fish and parrot fish. It is important to avoid keeping them with small fish or invertebrates, such as shrimp, which they may consider as food.
Breeding in an aquarium
No specific information is available on the successful breeding of Scorpaena cardinalis in an ordinary aquarium.
Particularities
The Eastern Red Scorpionfish, has some interesting features and peculiarities beyond the basic information about its appearance, behavior and habitat.
- Taxonomic Confusion and Synonyms:
Scorpaena cardinalis has caused some taxonomic confusion in the past. It has previously been incorrectly synonymized with Scorpaena cruenta (also known as S. papillosus). Moreover, the species is also known by several synonyms, such as Scorpaena cookii and Scorpaena plebeia. - Camouflage and Survival:
This fish species is a master of camouflage, which is essential for its survival as an ambush hunter. The Scorpaena cardinalis uses its cryptic coloration to blend into the environment of rocks and coral, allowing it to both stalk prey and protect itself from predators. - Toxicity:
The Scorpaena cardinalis is equipped with poisonous spines, which provides an effective defense against potential threats. This toxicity makes the species dangerous to humans, and it is important to be careful when handling these fish. - Habitat and Depth Range:
The species is found in a wide range of depths, from shallow coastal waters to depths of 154 meters. This adaptability to different depths makes the Scorpaena cardinalis a versatile inhabitant of the sea. - Conservation Status:
The Scorpaena cardinalis is classified as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List, meaning that there are currently no major threats to the population of this species.
Conclusion
The Scorpaena cardinalis is a fascinating but challenging species to keep in an aquarium . Because of their poisonous spines and specific living conditions, they are not suitable for beginners. They require a large aquarium of at least 2,000 liters, with furnishings that mimic their natural habitat , including rocks and hiding places.
Their behavior as ambush hunters and their ability to camouflage make them interesting, but also potentially dangerous to other aquarium inhabitants. It is essential to be well informed about their toxicity and to take precautions when handling. Generally they are difficult to keep, but offer a unique experience for the advanced aquarist.
Video
Author
John de Lange
Copyright images
Richard Ling – www.rling.com
