Black scorpionfish

The black scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus), also known as the European scorpionfish or small-scaled scorpionfish, is a venomous scorpionfish, common in marine subtropical waters. It is widespread in the eastern Atlantic Ocean from the British Isles to the Azores and Canary Islands, near the coasts of Morocco, and in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.

Distribution

The black scorpionfish is native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea. Its range extends southwards from the southern half of the British Isles to the Azores, the Canary Islands, and the northwestern coast of Africa. It is found throughout the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea down to depths around 800 m (2,625 ft).

Behaviour

Like all the members of the Scorpaeninae subfamily, it is an ambush predator. It waits motionless for its prey to pass by and then leaps forward instantly to suck it in with its large mouth. It feeds on small fishes such as blennies and gobies, crustaceans and other bottom-dwelling invertebrates.