Scorpaena cardinalis

Scorpaenidae
Red Rock Cod, Billy Bougain, Cardinal Scorpionfish, Cook's Rockcod, Fire Cod, Northern Scorpionfish, Red Rock Cod
  • Scorpaena cardinalis, Adult, Lord Howe Is, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
    Scorpaena cardinalis, Adult, Lord Howe Is, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
  • Scorpaena cardinalis, Adult, Lord Howe Is, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
    Scorpaena cardinalis, Adult, Lord Howe Is, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
  • Scorpaena cardinalis, Adult, Poor Knights Is, New Zealand, Photo: Andrew Green
    Scorpaena cardinalis, Adult, Poor Knights Is, New Zealand, Photo: Andrew Green
  • Scorpaena cardinalis, Adult, Lord Howe is, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
    Scorpaena cardinalis, Adult, Lord Howe is, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
  • Scorpaena cardinalis, Adult, Lord Howe is, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
    Scorpaena cardinalis, Adult, Lord Howe is, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
  • Scorpaena cardinalis, Adult, Poor Knights Is, New Zealand, Photo: Andrew Green
    Scorpaena cardinalis, Adult, Poor Knights Is, New Zealand, Photo: Andrew Green
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: Coral Reef, Rocky Reef, Soft sediment
  • Habitat Generalisation Index: 23.6
    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
Rarity
  • IUCN Threat Status: Not Evaluated
  • Occurrence: Common (20% 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: Few (2 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
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