Coccotropsis gymnoderma

Smoothskin scorpionfish | Smooth-skin Scorpionfish
Coccotropsis gymnoderma
Coccotropsis gymnoderma, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, Photo: Graham Edgar

Distribution

Temperate Africa


Description

Variable red/brown colouring, dorsal fin starts well forward on a mottled head, and dorsal spines thick. Conspicuous broad white band on tail base, and white patch on belly. Bottom dwelling and cryptic.


Information

Max Size: 4 cm

Sea Temperature Range: 14.8-22°C

Depth: 9-108m

Habitat Generalization Index: N/A

Also referred to as the SGI (Species Generalisation Index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here.


Conservation and Rarity

IUCN Status: Not Evaluated

Occurrence: Widespread (50% of sites)

Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed

Abundance: Solitary (1 per transect)

Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.


Edit by: Joe Shields