Scorpaena cardinalis

Red rock cod | Billy Bougain | Cardinal Scorpionfish | Cook's Rockcod | Fire Cod | Northern Scorpionfish
Scorpaena cardinalis
Scorpaena cardinalis, adult, Lord Howe Is, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
Scorpaena cardinalis
Scorpaena cardinalis, adult, Lord Howe Is, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
Scorpaena cardinalis
Scorpaena cardinalis, adult, Poor Knights Is, New Zealand, Photo: Andrew Green
Scorpaena cardinalis
Scorpaena cardinalis, adult, Lord Howe is, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
Scorpaena cardinalis
Scorpaena cardinalis, adult, Lord Howe is, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
Scorpaena cardinalis
Scorpaena cardinalis, adult, Poor Knights Is, New Zealand, Photo: Andrew Green
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Scorpaena cardinalis
Scorpaena cardinalis
Scorpaena cardinalis
Scorpaena cardinalis
Scorpaena cardinalis
Scorpaena cardinalis

Distribution

Temperate Australasia, Tropical Indo-Pacific


Description

Variable colouring depending on substrate, from mud-brown to bright red. It can be recognised by its large head, black spots on the belly, and small filaments on the sides of the body. Distinguished from very similar S. jacksoniensis (Eastern Red Scorpionfish) by location and size.


Information

Max Size: 35 cm

Sea Temperature Range: 14.7-25.5°C

Depth: 0-154m

Habitat Generalization Index: 23.61

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: Common (42.2% 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: GJ Edgar. 2008. Australian Marine Life. New Holland, Sydney