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Scorpaenopsis oxycephala
Also known as Tasseled Rockfish, Tasseled Goblinfish, Flathead Scorpionfish, Smallscale Scorpionfish, Smallscale Stingfish, Smallscale Firefish, Smallscale Goblinfish and Smallscale Rockfish. Adults are bearded with a number of tassels below the jaw. They feed on small fish and swimming invertebrates, and grow to about 36cm in length.
Found singly and well camouflaged around coral reefs on slopes blending into plants, rocks, mud and sand. Widespread in the Indo-Pacific region.
This scorpionfish was nearly perfectly camouflaged I almost missed it. Take a look at the next two photos and you'll see what I mean. The 4th photo shows an uncamouflaged tasseled scorpionfish, taken at another dive site (Dayang Beach, Talikud Island, Samal, Philippines).
Spotted on Nov 6, 2011
Submitted on Dec 7, 2011
1 Comment
Great camouflage!